‘World’s dirtiest man’ dies aged 94 just months after first wash in over half a century

Previous attempts to get him to wash – or drink sanitary water – made him sad, the news agency said.

He became the subject of curiosity in the latter part of his life, with videos surfacing online of his often strange behaviour – which he previously said came about due to a difficult childhood.

IRNA said his diet consisted of rotten meat and untreated water drunk from an old oil can.

Mr Haji was said to have never married and did not appear to have any family, preferring a solitary existence, but was treated with affection by villagers.