Son of Saudi King Caused Fatal Hajj Stampede in Mina: Report

A convoy of the Son of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud accompanied by 350 troops in central Mina prompted the stampede that left over a thousand Hajj pilgrims dead in Mina on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca.

According to the Arabic-language daily al-Diyar , the convoy of Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud played a key role in the fatal stampede on the third day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage earlier on Thursday.

The report said that Salman, who had sought to attend the huge gathering of pilgrims in Mina, a large valley about five kilometers (three miles) from Mecca, arrived at the site early on Thursday accompanied by a huge entourage of 200 army forces and 150 police officers escorted the prince.

The Lebanese daily noted that the presence of the Saudi royal in the middle of thousands of pilgrims forced a change in the direction of the normal movement resulting in the deadly stampede.

Al Diyar wrote that Salman and his entourage swiftly abandoned the scene, adding that the Saudi authorities seek to hush up the entire story and impose a media blackout on Salman’s presence in the area.

However, officials in Saudi Arabia have denied the report, calling it “incorrect.” The Saudi health minister Khaled al-Falih has blamed the pilgrims for the tragedy that has resulted in the death of over 1,200 Hajj pilgrims.

Earlier on Thursday Iran’s First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri urged Saudi Arabia to fulfill its duties and provide full safety for the pilgrims.

More than 1000 pilgrims, including 122 Iranian nationals, were killed and hundreds of others injured in a stampede during Hajj pilgrimage rituals in Mina outside the holy city of Mecca on Thursday.

In reaction to the deadly incident, Jahangiri stressed that Saudi Arabian government is responsible for the safety and security of the Hajj pilgrims and should fulfill its duties in this regard.

Saudi Arabia’s government is to blame for the repercussions of any negligence over the issue, the Iranian first vice-president added.

Meanwhile Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has said Saudi Arabia should be held accountable over the death of hundreds of Hajj pilgrims in the holy city of Mecca.

“Saudi Arabia should be answerable to the Islamic Republic [of Iran] and other countries that could not perform a calm Hajj [ritual],” noted Amir-Abdollahian.

He also said that the fatal crush started after Saudi security forces blocked two streets while the pilgrims were walking towards the final ritual of the Hajj.

“We can by no means remain indifferent towards Saudi Arabia’s irresponsible behavior,” said Amir-Abdollahian, adding, “The tactlessness on the part of relevant Saudi authorities to provide security for the pilgrims cannot be overlooked.”

Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia’s charge d’affaires to Tehran was summoned to Iran’s Foreign Ministry to hear the Islamic Republic’s protest over the mishandling of the deadly incident by Saudi authorities.

For his part, the Saudi diplomat expressed regret over the fatal incident and offered condolences to the Iranian government and the families of the dead pilgrims.

The accident came nearly two weeks after over 100 Hajj pilgrims were killed in another tragic incident in Mecca.