Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 13
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
The number Iranian pilgrims killed in the construction crane incident in Mecca city Sept. 11 has increased to five, Saeed Ohadi, head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization said.
At least seven Iranian pilgrims are missing as well, Ohadi said, the Iranian State IRINN TV reported Sept. 13.
It was earlier announced that one Iranian national was killed and 25 injured in the incident.
Some of the injured were listed to be in serious condition.
The Iranian official further said that the death toll has risen to 170.
Most of the dead are from Afghanistan and Pakistan.
A construction crane fell on Friday afternoon on the Masjid Al-Haram (The Holy Mosque) in Mecca. The head of Saudi Arabia's civil defense said strong winds and heavy rains had caused the collapse.
A total of 61,000 Iranian pilgrims are in Saudi Arabia for Hajj rituals.
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