Top Iranian space scientist killed in Mecca accident

on September 15, 2021 | 6:06:57

Top Iranian space scientist and university professor Ahmad Hatami has been one of the 8 Iranian pilgrims who died in the crane collapse incident in Mecca on Friday, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported on Monday.

Iran’s Communications and Information Technology Minister Mahmoud Vaezi confirmed that Doctor Ahmad Hatami, who was a renowned member of the Iran Space Research Center, was killed along with 8 other Iranians who made the deadly pilgrimage to Mecca.

The minister expressed deep sorrow over Hatami’s death and extended his most heartfelt condolences to his family and to the Iranian IT and space technology community.

According to reports, at least 107 Hajj pilgrims were killed and 238 more were injured when the crane collapsed on to the Grand Mosque during storms.

On Sunday, Iran’s Parliament speaker Ali Larijani blamed Riyadh for its “negligence” and noted that the Saudi government should have devised the necessary preparations to safeguard the lives of the pilgrims.

The Friday’s tragedy occurred when a crane crashed through the ceiling of the Grand Mosque of Mecca, the largest mosque in the world.

Although the Saudi media and officials have claimed that the crane was brought down by strong wind and heavy rain, there are serious doubts about the issue on the basis of some credible climate reports.

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