TEHRAN - Iranian Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi says his ministry is gathering evidence to determine the causes of the September 24 deadly stampede in Mina near the holy city of Mecca, after two large masses of Hajj pilgrims fused together.

“The Intelligence Ministry has begun its work on this issue,” Alavi said while addressing a funeral service in Shiraz, Fars Province, on Monday for a number of the Iranian pilgrims killed in the tragedy.

Alavi said the Mina incident had an “international dimension,” and that it was not an issue concerning only Iran, rather “a key issue facing the world of Islam and 22 mourning Islamic states.”

Saudis’ incompetence and imprudence are to blame for the incident, he said, adding that the Saudi government could have mitigated the extent of the damage if it had attended to the wounded and cooperated in identifying the deceased.

Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization puts the death toll from the tragedy at around 4,700 people, including 464 Iranians. Saudi Arabia claims nearly 770 people were killed.

MD/PA