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‘Iranian death toll from Mina crush at 464’

Thursday, 01 October 2015 6:38 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 01 October 2015 4:22 PM ]

The photo shows the bodies of the pilgrims who died in a crush in Mina, Saudi Arabia, September 24, 2015. (Photo by AFP)

Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization says the number of Iranian pilgrims killed in the recent crush in Mina near Saudi Arabia’s Mecca has risen to 464.

The organization announced the latest death toll – almost double the previously released figure – in a statement on Thursday, adding that 14 Iranian pilgrims were still receiving treatment in Saudi hospitals.

The statement also said that, seven days after the deadly crush in Mina, the state of those injured in the incident has been “completely determined.”

The statement did not include an updated figure for the number of the Iranians injured in the September 24 incident. Previous reports put the number of the wounded Iranians at 27.

Earlier reports also said that over 200 Iranians had gone missing in the crush.

The crush reportedly occurred as a group of pilgrims were on their way to take part in the symbolic stoning of the Satan, a Hajj ritual. Another group returning from the ritual were reportedly directed to move toward the first group from the opposite direction.

Saudi Arabia has come under harsh criticism over its role and handling of the incident.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli visited the families of former Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi, and Iranian official Vajihollah Taqiani – who had previously been reported missing – to offer condolences over their deaths, IRNA reported.

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