1,301 deaths during pilgrimage to Mecca, most were unregistered

The number of victims increases due to the heat in Mecca, Hajj:there are over 1,301 deaths.The vast majority were irregular pilgrims.

The Saudi authorities they updated yesterday, Sunday 23 June, on number of pilgrims who lost their lives during the Hajj to Mecca in recent weeks: 1,301 people, of which 83 percent were unregistered pilgrims through the agencies that organize the pilgrimage to the Muslim holy city.The vast majority are died due to temperatures of over 50 degrees Celsius reached on the days designated for the march on Mount Arafat.

The high number of irregular pilgrims who arrived this year complicated health management in helping those who had fallen ill.Saudi Arabia requires every pilgrim to purchase one of the 1.8 million licenses available to legally access Mecca.These licenses can cost several thousand euros and the amount varies depending on the country of departure.Pilgrims without a license do not travel in organized tour buses with air conditioning or easy access to water and food supplies.

In addition to complicating the management of illnesses, the high number of irregular pilgrims has made it difficult to identify many of the victims, which only ended this weekend.

After Riyadh's announcement, the Egyptian authorities they revoked the licenses to 16 agencies that organized pilgrimages to the holy cities illegally.

The official toll among the Egyptians is 31 people, but according to the Reuters news agencyReuters and other news outlets, would have been between 500 and 600 Egyptians died during the pilgrimage.

Saturday 22 June, the government cabinet met and published a report regarding what happened in Saudi Arabia.The report, which was examined by the Cabinet, states that some operators did not issue the correct visas, resulting in holders being unable to enter the holy city of Mecca and being forced to enter through the desert paths on foot.The report also accused some companies of failing to provide adequate accommodation, leaving tourists exposed to the heat.

The budget The exact number of total deaths in this year's Hajj could still rise, as governments are only aware of pilgrims who have registered and traveled to Mecca as part of their country's quota.