First Iran Hajj Stampede Dead Flown Home (1)

The Iranian honor guard carries the caskets of Iranian pilgrim, killed in a stampede at Hajj nine days ago, during a ceremony on their arrival. Tehran, 3 October 2015 (Atta Kenare/AFP)

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UPDATE: President Hassan Rouhani and other top Iranian officials laid white flowers on coffins at a somber ceremony on Saturday in Tehran for the 104 pilgrims, among 464 Iranians declared dead or missing in the stampede. More bodies will arrive later today. Iranian health minister said not all Iranian dead had yet been found.

Rising Death Toll From Hajj Stampede

As the hajj religious pilgrimage entered its final day Saturday, the death toll from Thursday’s stampede during the ritual of stoning of Satan at Jamarrat pillars in Mina has risen to 719 people, while 863 were injured, AP reported.

Iranian citizens comprised the largest number of fatalities confirmed so far. Iranian state TV said 134 Iranian pilgrims died and 85 injured, while 354 Iranian pilgrims remain missing. (IRIB, 26 September)

Photo credit: A day after the tragic stampede, Muslim pilgrims walk in a tunnel on their way to cast stones at Jamarrat pillars, a ritual symbolizing the stoning of Satan during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia; Friday 25 September 2015 (AP)