'Status of missing pilgrims subjected to DNA testing’

TEHRAN, Nov. 08 (MNA) – Iran’s deputy foreign minister for Arab-African affairs said Saudi Arabia has subjected status of missing pilgrims to DNA testing. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks on the sidelines of the official welcoming ceremony for deputy president of South Africa in Tehran on Saturday. Noting the foreign ministry’s efforts in investigating the issue of missing pilgrims of Mina tragedy, he stated “unfortunately, Saudi’s have subjected everything to DNA testing of dead bodies.” “The status of 25 missing Iranians was tracked by Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Saeed Ohadi in Jaddah with Sauid health minister where it was mentioned that DNA test results will be ready in maximum one week or ten days,” noted Amir-Abdollahian. “Foreign ministry is seriously following the situation of all missing people through various links in Saudi Arabia in order to determine the fate of each and every one of them,” he underlined. On the status of former Iranian ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi, deputy foreign minister said, “Roknabadi had been reported alive in a Saudi ambulance after the incident and we look forward to hearing good news in this regard.”