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The extent of the fallout from the scandal, which erupted September 18 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said VW had cheated on tests of its diesel cars, remains unclear as do the costs to Volkswagen.

However, even before the Volkswagen scandal, diesel was facing tough environmental challenges in Europe, where it makes up more than half of the engines in all cars sold.

Ali Marashi, head of the Iranian Red Crescent medical center in Tehran, said Iran had given up hope that any of those missing were still alive.

WASHINGTON, September 29 (Xinhua) – USA lawmakers on Tuesday requested documents from Volkswagen and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the company’s illegal software used to circumvent emissions test for certain models of diesel engine passenger vehicles.

Of Volkswagen’s own cars, more than half a million are affected, while 393,450 Audi cars have software installed, as well as 76,773 SEATs and 131,569 Škoda vehicles.

“However it is our understanding that the software is inactive in all vehicles with the EA189 engine”, said Audi Australia general manager of corporate communications, Anna Burgdorf, when referring to Australian delivered cars.

VW said the diesel vehicles include 508,276 Volkswagen cars, 393,450 Audis, 76,773 Seats, 131,569 Škodas and 79,838 Volkswagen commercial vehicles.

The death toll from Thursday’s stampede at the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Haj, has risen to 769.

Members of Saudi civil defence try to rescue pilgrims following a crush caused by large numbers of people pushing at Mina, outside the Muslim holy city of Mecca.

Prayers and protests have been staged amid mounting fury over the deaths of more than 700 worshippers during a stampede at the annual hajj pilgrimage.