On September 24, over 4700 pilgrims, including 464 Iranians, died in the crush in Mina when performing religious rites. The incident marked the worst Hajj disaster in 25 years.
President Rouhani described the loss of lives in the tragic event as very painful and heartbreaking, stressing that the shortcomings and incompetence that led to the incident should be investigated.
He further praised Iranian officials’ efforts to follow up on the issue and repatriate the bodies of the Iranian pilgrims killed in the tragedy.
The president also lauded the Iranian nation for their massive participation in the funerals and memorial services held across the country for the victims of the Mina crush.
The return of the bodies from Saudi Arabia came a few days after Ayatollah Khamenei sent a clear message to the Saudi government.
Addressing a military ceremony on September 30, Imam Khamenei warned Riyadh that the slightest disrespect for the Iranian pilgrims or its failure to repatriate the bodies of victims will draw Iran’s “severe and tough reaction".
Saudi rulers have come under heavy fire for their incompetence in handling the annual Hajj pilgrimage. This year’s tragic incident in Mina has claimed 464 lives from Iran alone.
The bodies of 218 Iranian victims have been repatriated so far.