At least 1,300 pilgrims died during this year's Muslim pilgrimage, Hajj. This is according to Saudi authorities in the first official statement from the country since reports of a large number of deaths emerged.
Earlier, several countries had reported over 1,100 fatalities.
The temperature is said to have risen to as high as 52 degrees Celsius in Mecca at times. Many of the dead are pilgrims who, due to economic reasons, did not register, which means they did not have access to the air-conditioned spaces set up by Saudi authorities.
Over 1.8 million people participated in this year's edition of the religious gathering, which concluded on Wednesday. Hundreds of pilgrims die annually during Hajj, but this year's pilgrimage took place during an unusually intense heatwave.
The pilgrimage is one of Islam's five pillars, which form the foundation of the religion. All healthy Muslims who can afford it are expected to make the journey to Mecca in western Saudi Arabia at least once in their lifetime.
