Saudi Arabia Must Grant Access to Probe into Mecca Tragedy

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that public opinion demands that Saudi Arabian officials grant immediate consular access for the expeditious identification and return of the cherished bodies and remains of the Hajj pilgrimage stampede victims.

NEW YORK (Sputnik) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged Saudi Arabia on Monday to grant immediate access to the investigation of the stampede at the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Saudi Arabian valley of Mina that killed at least 769 pilgrims from 18 countries.

"Public opinion demands that Saudi Arabian officials promptly fulfill their international obligations and grant immediate consular access for the expeditious identification and return of the cherished bodies and remains," Rouhani said in an address to the 70th session of the UN General Assembly.

"Moreover, it is necessary that the conditions are prepared for an independent and precise investigation into the causes of this disaster," Rouhani stressed.