Body of Iran's diplomat identified in S Arabia
The body of Iran’s former ambassador to Lebanon who went missing during the September 24 Mina tragedy in Saudi Arabia has been identified, an informed source says.
The body of Ghazanfar Roknabadi will be transferred to Iran on Thursday morning, Fars News Agency quoted the source as saying.
The body of the Iranian diplomat was identified following DNA tests as two of his close relatives are currently in Saudi Arabia. Evidence shows he lost his life in the Mina tragedy.
The Mina tragedy took place during this year’s Hajj rituals after two large masses of pilgrims fused at a crossroads in Mina, a few kilometers east of the holy city of Mecca, on their way to participate in the symbolic stoning of Satan ritual in Jamarat.
Saudi Arabia claims nearly 770 people were killed in the incident, but officials with Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization say about 4,700 people, including 464 Iranians, lost their lives in the tragedy.
The number of the Iranian fatalities exceeds that of other countries.
Iran has criticized Saudi Arabia for failing to responsibly carry out its duties during Hajj, saying Riyadh’s incompetence in handling safety at the rituals caused the deadly incident.
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