Three Senegalese citizens also died during Hajj, Agence de Presse Sénégalaise said, while 144 Indonesian citizens died during the pilgrimage, Indonesian health ministry data showed on Tuesday. The data did not specify if any of the deaths were due to heat stroke.
The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage that millions of Muslims make to Mecca to perform religious rites as taught by the Prophet Mohammad to his followers 14 centuries ago.
Water is sprayed on Muslim pilgrims at the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy.Credit: AP
A Saudi health official, speaking before many of the reports of deaths were issued, said that authorities had not noticed any unusual fatalities among Muslim pilgrims amid the extremely high temperatures.
The ministry had so far treated more than 2700 pilgrims who suffered from heat-related illness, he added.
“Hajj is a difficult task, so you have to exert efforts and perform the rituals even in the conditions of heat and crowding,” an Egyptian pilgrim said on Sunday.
Pilgrims used umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun, as Saudi authorities warned pilgrims to stay hydrated and avoid being outdoors during the hottest hours between 11am and 3pm.
A pilgrim receives a cold water spray after he cast stones at a pillar in the symbolic stoning of the devil at Hajj.Credit: AP
Hajj, one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for able-bodied Muslims who can afford it. It will end on Wednesday.
More than 1.8 million pilgrims were expected to take part this year, according to the Saudi General Authority for Statistics.
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