The toll in the deadliest tragedy to ever strike the annual hajj pilgrimage rose Wednesday to at least 1,621 people killed, a new tally showed, as hundreds still reportedly remain missing.
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“The irresponsible statements aiming for political exploitation of the incident… shall not affect the role of Saudi Arabia, its duty and responsibilities in serving the guests of God”, King Salman said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.
According to details, as many as 18 Pakistani pilgrims are still missing while two are under treatment in Saudi hospital.
Health authorities in the kingdom previously said civil defence officials would be offering any new casualty figures, though no new toll has been released by authorities since September 26.
Ohadi said that Saudi Arabia took DNT samples from the dead, before burying them, adding that Iran is also aware of the places the pilgrims’ bodies are buried.
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More than 769 pilgrims from across the world were confirmed dead and 1,000 injured during the stampede on one of the roads leading to the Jamarat Complex (stone throwing site) in Mina. Stampede and the crush was the next calamity to hit at Saudi Arabia around the Hajj this year. On September 11, a massive crane collapsed onto the Grand Mosque, killing 111 worshippers in Mecca.
