2,165 Muslim pilgrims dead in Hajj stampede

The death toll from the recent deadly human crush during the Hajj rituals in Mina, near the holy Saudi city of Mecca, has hit 2,165, according to latest figures given by foreign governments.

Saudi Arabia has so far failed to update the death toll it has provided and still claims 769 people were killed and 934 injured in the September 24 disaster.

But the toll has kept rising as foreign governments whose nationals were among the victims are updating their figures.

With 464 dead, Iran has the highest death toll among over 30 countries whose nationals were killed in tragic event. According to the new figures, Nigeria comes next with 199.

Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization says at least 4,700 people lost their lives in the tragedy.

Mali has announced 198 pilgrims dead, followed by Egypt with 182 deaths, Bangladesh with 137, Indonesia with 129, India with 116, Pakistan with 102, and Cameroon with 76.

The crush occurred after two large masses of pilgrims converged at a crossroads in Mina during the symbolic ceremony of the stoning of Satan in Jamarat.

It came days after a massive construction crane collapsed into Mecca’s Grand Mosque, killing more than 100 people and leaving over 200 others wounded.

Separately, on September 21, a fire at a 15-story hotel in Mecca forced the evacuation of some 1,500 people. A fire also broke out at another hotel in the city days earlier, which left a number of foreigners injured.

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

In a meeting with Hajj authorities on Monday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the “bitter and shocking” crush in Mina must not be forgotten. The Leader lashed out at governments, especially the Western states, and institutions which only claim to be advocates of human rights, for remaining tight-lipped in the face of the Mina tragedy.

The Saudi government is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Muslims in the tragic event, said Ayatollah Khamenei, adding, Muslim nations should have expressed their protest with one voice on the heels of the incident, but it was only Iran which spoke up in protest at the tragedy.

The Leader said the Mina tragedy should be seriously pursued, adding the silence of so-called human rights institutions in the US and Europe is among the issues which can be followed up on.

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