New Delhi, India

Iranian rock climber Elnaz Rekabi returned home safely on Tuesday (October 18), and received a roaring welcome, amid claims that she went 'missing' after competing without a hijab during the finals of the Asian Climbing Competitions in Seoul, South Korea. It was widely assumed that Rekabi defied the Islamic Republic's diktat for female athletes and ditched the mandatory veil to extend her support amid protests in Iran.

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However, Rekabi on Tuesday clarified her veil had fallen by mistake while she was competing in the international event in South Korea. The footage of the Iranian mountain climber, competing without a hijab had gone viral on social media with many believing the move was in solidarity with the ongoing protests in her country.

Rekabi competed without a headscarf covering which is mandatory for all female athletes from Iran, as per the rules in the country. Her footage of competing without hijab came amid protests in Iran after the death of a 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini in police custody following her arrest by the morality police over her clothing.

Mahsa Amini was detained by the Iranian police over her 'inappropriate attire' and died in custody sparking huge outrage across the nation.

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BBC Persia had earlier reported that Rekabi's passport and phone had been confiscated by Iranian officials after she competed without a hijab and that her friends were unable to get in touch with her. However, on Tuesday, Rekabi herself cleared the air on her well-being.

Rekabi took to social media to inform her hijab fell off by mistake during the competition and it was unintentional. A text-only Instagram story was posted on Rekabi`s account that said, "Due to inappropriate timing, and an unpredictable call for me to climb the wall, there was accidentally a problem with my head cover."

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It further added that Rekabi was flying back to Iran "according to the pre-arranged schedule", and apologised for the "concerns created". On Tuesday morning, she and other athletes staying at the same hotel in Seoul had all checked out. Meanwhile, many social media users expressed concerns for the well-being of Iranian climber. Many took her public appearance without a headscarf or hijab as a sign of solidarity with the women-led protests that have caused mayhem in Iran recently.

"This is an act of terror; forced confession -Elnaz Rekabi refused forced hijab while competing in Seoul; Her phone & passport was confiscated by the Islamic Republic; She has gone missing; Elnaz returned to Iran & announced: not wearing the hijab was not intentional," an Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad tweeted.

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Rekabi said she was on her way back to her home with the rest of the Iranian contingent after the conclusion of the competition. Earlier, the Iranian embassy in South Korea had denied the reports of the rock climber going missing after competing without wearing a hijab.