Khamenei calls for international investigation into hajj stampede

One year after the hajj disaster that killed nearly 500 Iranians out of more than 2,000 people, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is calling for an international body to investigate.
A man holds a banner that reads "God's curse on Al Saud (Saudi royal family)" during the funeral of victims killed in Saudi Arabia in a stampede at the haj pilgrimage, in Tehran October 4, 2015. More than 464 Iranian nationals were killed in last month's crush in Mina, Saudi Arabia, Iran's Haj Organization says. Iranian officials have alleged the overall total death toll is more than 1,000. Saudi Arabia has confirmed the deaths of 769 people. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMAATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS
A man holds a banner that reads "God's curse on Al Saud" during the funeral of pilgrims killed in a stampede during the 2015 hajj pilgrimage, in Tehran, Iran, Oct. 4, 2015. - REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Arash Karami
@thekarami

During the 2015 hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, more than 2,000 Muslims lost their lives in a stampede in the city of Mina. Nearly 500 of the victims were Iranian pilgrims. One year later, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei met with the families of those who lost their lives and called for an international investigation into the stampede.

“The events of Mina and the loss of life of Iranian pilgrims with parched lips under the scorching sun is a deeply sorrowful and unforgettable event,” Khamenei said Sept. 7, calling the Iranians who lost their lives “martyrs.”

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 for annual access.

Videos

See more