Iran has claimed that the number of Iranians killed in the Mecca stampede has risen to 464 -- nearly double of what was reported earlier.
Till Wednesday, the number of Iranian haj pilgrims killed in Mina was 239, while 241 Iranians were still missing days after the deadly stampede on 25 September.
Iranian television channels on Friday reported that many of the missing are now feared dead. According to BBC, the Iranian authorities have told local news channels that there is no hope of finding any of the country's missing pilgrims alive.
As per the latest figures, the total death toll stands at 849, while over 934 have been injured. But, Iran has claimed that more than 4,000 Hajj pilgrims have killed in the crush, according to CNN.
Iran, which lost most number of its nationals in the stampede has been blaming the Saudis of mismanagement.
Iran's Supreme Leader now has threatened Saudi Arabia with "tough and harsh" retaliation if the bodies of Iranians victims were not repatriated swiftly.
"Saudi Arabia failed to fulfill its duties concerning the desperate wounded (pilgrims)," said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian state television - PressTV. "Should we decide to show any reaction, our reaction will be tough and harsh," it quoted him as saying at a military academy Wednesday.
