Saudi Arabia says 1,301 people died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage

Saudi Arabia says 1,301 people died during this year's Hajj pilgrimage
Saudi Arabia says 1,301 people died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage

Saudi Arabia’s health minister says more than 1,300 people have died during this years Hajj pilgrimage.

Temperatures at times exceeded 51 degrees Celsius and many deaths were caused by “walking long distances under direct sunlight without adequate shelter or comfort”.

An Egyptian crisis unit tasked with investigating the situation has suspended licences of 16 tourism companies and referred them to the public prosecutor.

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