Tehran: Iran`s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "improper measures" and "mismanagement" by Saudi authorities caused Thursday`s deadly stampede at the annual hajj pilgrimage, and announced three days of mourning.
"The government of Saudi Arabia must accept the huge responsibility for this catastrophe," state news agency IRNA quoted him as saying of the tragedy, which killed more than 700 pilgrims, including at least 90 Iranians.
Khamenei on Wednesday had said that Saudi Arabia bore a duty to all pilgrims at the holy rituals, and his comments after the tragedy followed those of other Iranian officials who criticised the kingdom for failing to safeguard the ceremonies.
Urging greater efforts to protect those attending the hajj, Khamenei said the causes of the accident "should not be overlooked".
