At least 1,301 people died during Hajj in Saudi Arabia, mostly unauthorised pilgrims who walked long distances in intense heat.
This year’s pilgrimage took place during a heatwave, with temperatures at times exceeding 50C (122F).
According to officials, more than three-quarters of those who died did not have official permits to be there and walked under direct sunlight without adequate shelter.
Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel said efforts had been made to raise awareness about the dangers of heat stress and how pilgrims could mitigate this.
Health facilities treated nearly half a million pilgrims, including more than 140,000 who did not have a permit, he said, and some were still in hospital for heat exhaustion.
