Iran to take legal action against Saudi Arabia over hajj crush

Iran has vowed to take international legal action against Saudi Arabia's rulers over the crush of Muslim pilgrims at this year's hajj, which killed at least 769 people, including 136 Iranians.

Shia Iran has accused its Sunni archrival Saudi Arabia of mismanaging the pilgrimage, which annually draws some two million people from 180 countries.

Iranians comprise the largest group of casualties identified so far.

"Under international law, this incident is absolutely subject to prosecution. The Al-Saud must be responsive," Iran's state prosecutor Ebrahim Raisi told state TV, referring to Saudi Arabia's ruling family.

He said Saudi authorities blocked a road used by hajj pilgrims to allow a royal convoy to pass through, causing the fatal convergence in the town of Mina on the outskirts of Mecca.

“They have to know that we will pursue the trial of Al-Saud for the crime they have committed against the hajj pilgrims through international courts and organisations. This is not incompetence, it’s a crime.”

Iran’s foreign ministry meanwhile summoned the Saudi charge d’affaires for a third time in three days to protest against Riyadh’s handling of the disaster. State TV said Saudi Arabia has yet to issue visas for an Iranian delegation to visit the kingdom to oversee the treatment of injured Iranians and the repatriation of remains.

Iranian state TV said 136 Iranian pilgrims were among the dead and 85 were injured, while 344 Iranians remain missing.

The worst disaster to befall the Islamic event in a quarter of a century occurred on Thursday as two large groups of pilgrims arrived together at a crossroads in Mina, a few kilometres outside the holy city.

“The latest statistics up to this hour reveal 769 dead. That is an increase of 52 on the previous figures,” Saudi health minister Khalid al-Falih told a news conference.

“Those are the ones who died in various hospitals since the event,” he said, adding that 934 people were wounded.

‘Not responsible’

Speaking to the country’s crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef, top Saudi cleric Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh said he did not hold authorities responsible for the disaster.

“You are not responsible for what happened. You dealt with the beneficial factors that were in your hands and within your ability. As for the things that humans cannot control, you cannot be blamed for them. Fate and destiny are inevitable,” Mr Al al-Sheikh, known as the Grand Mufti, said in a televised statement.

Mr Al al-Sheikh also appeared to deflect criticisms of the kingdom from outside as a product of “envy”.

“Many are envious of the kingdom for its religion, leadership, economy and the cohesion of its members, and for the great blessings it has experienced, unlike many other countries,” he said.

Agencies