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Saudi Arabia summons Iranian envoy over poisoned pilgrims

Xinhua, June 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Saudi Arabia summoned the Iranian envoy on Tuesday to highlight concerns over the death and health complications of some Saudis pilgrims in Iran, Saudi press Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia summoned the Iranian ambassador to express deep concerns of the case and hoped for fast investigations. It also urged to ensure the required protection of Saudis in Iran.

Iran's official IRNA news agency reported earlier on Monday that a total of 33 Saudi pilgrims were poisoned, including three three-year-old boys and a 14-year-old girl who died in a hospital in the religious city of Mashhad.

The pilgrims were poisoned by vapor from a substance used as pesticide in the hotel, according to Iran's IRIB TV that quoted Rassoul Dinarvand, who heads the Iranian Food and Medicine Organization.

Five people have been arrested over the death of the Saudi pilgrims. Further investigation is underway to determine whether its use was "deliberate" or not.

Millions of Iranians and foreign pilgrims go to Iran's northwestern city of Mashhad annually to visit a renowned Shiite Muslim shrine.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have diplomatic relations over disagreements over regional issues, mainly the situation in Syria and Yemen. Saudi Arabia also deems Iran's nuclear activities as a threat to the stability of the region. Endit