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TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran has held a ceremonious funeral for one of its diplomats, the former ambassador to Lebanon, who was killed in the hajj stampede outside Mecca in September.
Members of the Iranian army honor guard carried the flag-draped coffin of Ghazanfar Roknabadi as thousands attended the funeral in Tehran following Friday prayers.
Iranian media reported Thursday that the body of the diplomat, who was declared missing, was identified through fingerprints and DNA testing.
Iran lost 465 pilgrims in the stampede and has blamed the Saudi government for the disaster, accusing it of mismanagement.
An Associated Press count shows at least 2,389 people died in the disaster, the deadliest tragedy to ever strike the annual hajj pilgrimage. The official Saudi toll of 769 people killed has not changed since Sept. 26.
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