Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a message on Saturday expressed his deepest grief and lament over the death and injury of Hajj pilgrims among which were also a number of Iranians in a construction crane collapse during a storm at Mecca's Grand Mosque on Friday.
“During these days coinciding with the Abrahamic Hajj pilgrimage when the hearts and eyes of Muslims are turned toward the holy city of Mecca now more than any other time, this traumatic tragedy has no doubt caused great pain and sorrow for the Islamic Ummah,” said Rouhani in the message.
While extending his sympathy to the families of the departed and injured, the president expressed the Islamic Republic’s readiness to provide medical aid for all Hajj pilgrims including the Iranians who were injured during the incident.
At least 107 people, including an Iranian citizen, were killed as a crane fell on Hajj pilgrims in the Grand Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Friday. Saudi sources said that strong winds and storm had brought the crane down. At least 238 people have also been injured, among which were 32 Iranian nationals according to Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization.
The accident happened at a time when hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims are flocking to the holy city to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage.