Iran again summons Riyadh envoy over hajj crush

Map locates Mina, Saudi Arabia and stampede.; 2c x 4 inches; 96.3 mm x 101 mm;
September 25, 2015

Iran again summons Riyadh envoy over hajj crush
MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The latest developments on the crush and trampling to death of hundreds of Muslim pilgrims near a holy site in Saudi Arabia, the worst hajj disaster in a quarter-century (all times local).

6:10 p.m.

Iran's state TV says the Foreign Ministry has summoned Riyadh's envoy to Tehran for the second time in as many days to hear the Shiite powerhouse's protests over alleged "Saudi mismanagement" that purportedly led to the deadly hajj stampede.

The Iranian Cabinet also held an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the tragedy that killed 719 pilgrims, including 131 Iranians. In the absence of President Hassan Rouhani, who is in New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly, First Vice President Ishaq Jahangiri chaired the meeting.

Jahangiri reiterated it's "definite and clear" to Iran that "the Saudi government is responsible for this disaster ... and has to provide answers." He added that "mismanagement is definitely the cause" of the tragedy.

4:35 p.m.

Authorities in West Africa say 30 pilgrims from Mali and five Senegalese were killed at the hajj disaster in Saudi Arabia.

Mali's consulate in Jeddah gave the figure for its country's death toll on Friday.

Gen. Amadou Tidiane Dia of Senegal gave the toll for his country. Senegal's President Macky Sall also expressed sympathy for the victims. He called for an assessment on the organization and conditions of the pilgrimage, and said national discussions would be held to better organize the people sent from Senegal.

Saudi authorities say at least 719 people were killed and 863 were injured in the disaster Thursday in Mina.

3:20 p.m.

Thousands of Iranian worshippers have marched in Tehran after Friday prayers to denounce the "incompetency" of Saudi Arabia in handling the annual hajj pilgrimage.

The protest came a day after at least 719 pilgrims died during a crush on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca.

The Iranian demonstrators carried black banners and chanted "death to Al-Saud family," a reference to the rulers of the Sunni kingdom.

Shiite powerhouse Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional rival, has said Riyadh is to blame for the disaster because of its alleged mismanagement of the pilgrimage, which annually draws hundreds of thousands of people.

Iranian authorities say at least 131 of the country's pilgrims were killed Thursday in the crush, while 85 were injured.

3:05 p.m.

A top Pakistani hajj official in Saudi Arabia says 236 Pakistani pilgrims are missing after a deadly stampede during the pilgrimage.

Abu Ahmed Akif made the comments Friday. Pakistani officials earlier said that seven Pakistani pilgrims were killed and six injured in the crush Thursday near the holy city of Mecca.

Saudi authorities say at least 719 people were killed and 863 were injured in the disaster.

2:35 p.m.

Indonesians, Kenyans and Pakistanis are among the hundreds of Muslim pilgrims who died in a crush at a holy site in Saudi Arabia.

Authorities in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, said Friday at least three Indonesian pilgrims are dead after Thursday's disaster. Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has expressed condolences and called for better management of the hajj crowds to prevent future disasters.

Kenyan officials say three of the dead are from their country, while Pakistan says seven of its pilgrims died and six were injured.

Egypt's Religious Endowments Minister Mohammed Mokhtar Gomaa told the state-run MENA news agency the death toll for his country had risen to 14.

Saudi authorities say at least 719 people were killed and 863 were wounded in the disaster.

1:20 p.m.

Muslim pilgrims are continuing with the final rites of hajj a day after more than 700 people died when two massive crowds collided, causing people to suffocate and trample over one another.

The hajj pilgrimage is a main pillar of Islam that all able-bodied Muslims must perform once in their lifetime. This year, around 2 million people from more than 180 countries took part in the five-day pilgrimage, which ends Saturday.

In Mina, just outside of Mecca, pilgrims took part in a symbolic casting away of evil on Friday. The mood remained somber despite the hajj coinciding with Eid al-Adha, a major Islamic holiday.

Among those killed in Mina during the crush of people were pilgrims from Iran, Turkey, India and Pakistan.

1:10 p.m.

Officials say eight Egyptians were among hundreds killed when two waves of Muslim pilgrims collided outside Mecca during the annual hajj.

Egypt's Religious Endowments Minister Mohammed Mokhtar Gomaa gave the state-run MENA news agency the death toll late Thursday night. He said another 30 Egyptians were injured.

Afghanistan's Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs said Friday that eight Afghan pilgrims were still missing after the stampede. Both the Afghan government and the insurgent Taliban offered condolences to those affected.

Saudi authorities say at least 719 people were killed and 863 were wounded in the disaster.

10:40 a.m.

Authorities say at least 14 Indians and four Turks were killed in the hajj crush near a holy site in Saudi Arabia.

On Twitter, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj gave the death toll Friday and said 13 Indians were injured in the crush and stampede near Mina. She says Indian volunteers are aiding local officials.

The Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency reported that four Turks were killed and five remain missing Friday.

Two giant waves of Muslim pilgrims collided at an intersection Thursday on the outskirts of Mecca, killing at least 719 people and injuring 863. Iranian state media has said at least 131 pilgrims from the Islamic Republic were killed. The hajj has drawn some 2 million people from over 180 countries this year.