More than 1,300 people died during Hajj in Saudi Arabia

More than 1,300 people have died on this year’s Hajj pilgrimage – with “numerous cases” due to heat stress and “unauthorized” trips accounting for more than four out of five of the fatalities.

The Saudi government says the health system addressed numerous cases of heat stress this year, with some individuals still under care.

The statement says 83 percent of those who died were unauthorized to perform Hajj and walked long distances under direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort.

Extreme heat has been named as a main factor behind the hundreds of deaths and injuries reported this year during the Hajj.

Mecca, the holy city that is central for Hajj pilgrims, saw temperatures soar to a record-setting 51.6 degrees celsius.

[Source: BBC]