Saudi pilgrims die of poisoning in Iran hotel

Published June 8, 2015
Iran's official news agency says the victims included a 14-year-old girl and three young boys. -AFP/File
Iran's official news agency says the victims included a 14-year-old girl and three young boys. -AFP/File

TEHRAN: Iran's official IRNA news agency is reporting that four young Saudi pilgrims have died in Iran as a result of an accidental mass poisoning in their hotel.

The Monday report says the victims included a 14-year-old girl and three young boys, all aged 3 years.

Another 28 Saudi religious pilgrims were hospitalised over exposure to the poison, which is commonly used to kill insects and rats.

The incident took place in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, which is home to a major Shia Muslim Shrine.

The city is visited by nearly two million foreign pilgrims per year, coming from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, Azerbaijan and the Indian subcontinent.

Authorities say they are investigating the incident.

Opinion

Editorial

Wheat worries
25 Apr, 2025

Wheat worries

PUNJAB’S farmers are enraged. They are not getting what they call a fair price for their wheat harvest this year...
Ending rabies
25 Apr, 2025

Ending rabies

RABIES remains one of Pakistan’s most deadly, yet neglected public health crises. Across the country, hundreds die...
Pahalgam attack
Updated 24 Apr, 2025

Pahalgam attack

Pakistan must proceed with caution and prepare a calm yet firm response to India’s allegations, and threats.
New IMF projection
24 Apr, 2025

New IMF projection

THE downgrading of the IMF’s growth forecast for Pakistan by 40bps to 2.6pc is perturbing, especially considering...
Stranded goods
24 Apr, 2025

Stranded goods

AS controversy over the new canals continues to rage, traders across the country have begun raising the alarm over...