Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian today held Saudi Arabia responsible for the accident at Mecca”s Grand Mosque, where 107 pilgrims died during the Hajj ritual, including 11 Iranian citizens.
Amir-Abdollahian said that Saudi authorities’ negligence led to the collapse of a crane on the Islam holy building a week ago, also leaving 238 injured.
The deputy Foreign minister also insisted that the Saudi kingdom failed to provide the appropiate safety for the pilgrims of Hajj, the biggest religious procession which officially begins on Monday, and categorically held the Riad government responsible for the deadly collpase of the crane.
One of the 15 cranes surrounding the Al-Masjid al-Haram (Holy Mosque) in Mecca, fell down a week ago allegedly due to strong winds and heavy rains.
Amir-Abdollahian offered his sincere condolences to the families of the Iranian dead in the accident. Seven bodies were moved from Mecca to Mashad airport and then transfered to Mehrabad terminal in this capital today, while 32 injured are well assisted.
Meanwhile, the deputy chief of the Iranian Pilgrims Organization and the Hajj, Hamid Mohammadi, said relatives of one of the dead at the mosque accident wished to bury him in the Saudi holy city, while the other three dead will be repatriated after concluding legal procedures.
Source: Prensa Latina
