Hajj pilgrims death: Toll surpasses 1,000 amid day temperature soaring above 50 degrees

The death toll during theHajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia has surpassed 1,000 this year amid scorching heat, AFP reportedon Thursday (June 20).

Out of the reported deaths, over half of them were unregistered worshippers who perished due to intense heat while performing the annual rituals in the holy city of Mecca.

The new deaths reported on Thursday (June 20) included 58 from Egypt, as per an Arab diplomat who provided a breakdown that showed out of 658 Egyptians who had lost their lives due to extreme temperatures, 630 were unregistered pilgrims.

The people were searching for their missing relatives and friends as the mercury soared over 50 degrees Celsius in Islam's holiest city onWednesday (Jun 19).

Earlier on Monday, the temperature in Meccawas recorded at 51.8 degrees Celsius.

Every year, almost 1.8 million people from across the world visit Mecca to take part in a mostly outdoor pilgrimage. Hajj is considered one of the five pillars of Islam and Muslims with the means are advised to visit Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

Saudi Arabian authorities say the temperatureshave risen 0.4 degrees each decade in the city, piling more misery on the faithful crowd.

'68 dead from India'

At least 68 Indians have perished in the deadly heat conditions in Mecca, reported news agency AFP citing an Asian diplomat.

"Some (died) because of natural causes and we had many old-age pilgrims. And some are due to the weather conditions, that's what we assume," the diplomat said.

The deaths have also been confirmed by Jordan, Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia and Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region.

(With inputs from agencies)