More than 500 pilgrims suffocated due to heat in Mecca, many injured due to crowd

This year India is experiencing severe heat. Along with this, heat wave is also being seen in Saudi Arabia. The situation is such that more than 500 pilgrims have died during Haj in the scorching heat. At least 323 of the dead are Egyptian citizens, most of whom died due to heat-related complications.

All but one of the 323 Egyptian pilgrims died from heat, a diplomat said. One pilgrim was injured during the stampede. The figure came from the hospital morgue in Al-Muassam, near Mecca. At least 60 Jordanians also died, according to diplomats, while 41 deaths were officially reported by Amman on Tuesday. A total of 550 bodies were stored at Al-Muassam, one of Mecca's largest morgues, diplomats said.

On Tuesday, Egypt's Foreign Ministry said Cairo was working with Saudi authorities to search for Egyptians missing during the hajj. Although the ministry statement said “a certain number of deaths had occurred,” it did not specify whether they included Egyptians. Saudi authorities reported treating more than 2,000 pilgrims suffering from heatstroke, but have not updated that figure since Sunday and have not provided details about the deaths.