Saudi Gov’t Responsible for Security of Pilgrims: Iran’s First VP

First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri on Thursday called for immediate investigation into Hajj stampede in Mena.

As soon as the vice-president was informed about the deadly incident that has killed and injured hundreds of pilgrims during Hajj rituals, including dozens of Iranian pilgrims, in telephone conversations with the caretaker of Iranian Hajj pilgrims, the head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization and Iran's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, he called for providing immediate medical services to Iranian pilgrims injured in the disaster.

He took the Saudi government accountable for the catastrophic incident in Mena, saying, 'Riyadh government is responsible for protecting the lives of Hajj pilgrims.'

Jahangiri ordered immediate setting up a special committee in the Foreign Ministry for accelerating necessary coordination for providing aid to those injured.

The death toll has neared 1,000 so far.


/257