Saudi Arabia has reported that 1,301 people died during this year's Hajj pilgrimage, with the majority being unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances in extreme heat.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) stated that more than three-quarters of the deceased did not have official permits and were exposed to direct sunlight without adequate shelter.
The pilgrimage took place amidst a heatwave, with temperatures in Mecca reaching up to 51.8C (122F).
Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel said that health facilities treated nearly half a million pilgrims and that some were still hospitalized due to heat exhaustion.
The minister emphasized the efforts made to raise awareness about heat stress and its mitigation.
Saudi Arabia has faced criticism for not doing enough to ensure the safety of unregistered pilgrims who lack access to amenities such as air-conditioned tents and official Hajj transport.
There have been reports of deaths among its citizens in Egypt, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, Malaysia,, Iran, Senegal, Sudan, and the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Hajj is a mandatory religious pilgrimage for financially and physically capable Muslims. This year, around 1.8 million individuals participated.
The high death toll has led to actions against travel companies and government officials in several countries.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly revoked the licenses of 16 tourism companies and referred their managers to prosecutors.
Jordan detained travel agents facilitating illegal pilgrimages, and Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed the Minister of Religious Affairs.
As the situation unfolds, further updates are expected on the measures taken to improve safety and the steps to prevent unauthorized pilgrimages in the future.
