Temperatures in the holy city of Mecca topped 125 degrees Fahrenheit during the five-day pilgrimage that started June 14, according to the Saudi meteorological center. On Sunday, Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel told local media that 1,301 deaths had been reported and that 83 percent of those people were unregistered pilgrims. At least 600 were from Egypt, according to diplomats who spoke to Agence France-Presse and other news agencies. The Hajj is normally a source of prestige for the Saudi government. Saudi authorities said about 1.8 million pilgrims made the journey, which is one of the five central tenets of Islam.

Source: Washington Post June 24, 2024 02:03 UTC