Saudi Stampede Death Toll Rises to 1621

The Saudi officials claim that the burials were inevitable for hygienic reasons, Ohadi added.

Two returning pilgrims from Mecca, Saudi Arabia died after suffering a stroke upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino global Airport (NAIA), according to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).

Head of the Iranian organization, Saeed Ohadi, told Press TV on Thursday that the written objection comes after Saudis buried 29 Iranian victims of the tragic incident in their country. Hundreds of pilgrims have also not been accounted for following the September 24 stampede at the Hajj, one of the largest annual gatherings in the world.

Iran says it had 465 pilgrims killed, while Egypt lost 182, Nigeria 168 and Indonesia 126.

The Iranian Hajj official emphasized that efforts continue in that regard and any information obtained will immediately be shared with media. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry on Monday said the death toll among Egyptians has climbed to 181, with 53 still missing. The Saudi government defiantly refuses to upgrade its figure, nonetheless. The Kingdom is yet to provide an updated death toll after saying that 769 pilgrims had died in the tragedy near Makkah during Hajj.

The bodies of 399 Iranian victims have been repatriated so far.