In a tragic turn of events, more than 1,300 pilgrims perished during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, as extreme heat took a deadly toll on the faithful, Saudi authorities confirmed Sunday.
Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel revealed that 83% of the 1,301 deaths were unauthorized pilgrims who braved the scorching temperatures to reach Islamic holy sites in and around Mecca.
The fatalities included over 660 Egyptians, a majority of whom were unauthorized pilgrims. Egyptian authorities have revoked the licenses of 16 travel agencies involved in facilitating these unauthorized journeys.
