File photo: Muslim pilgrims pray around the holy Kaaba during their final circling at the Grand Mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mecca October 6, 2014 (Photo: Reuters)
A third Egyptian pilgrim has died of natural causes in Saudi Arabia since pilgrims began arriving last week for the annual hajj, state-run news agency MENA reported on Sunday, quoting Egypt’s health ministry.
A 60-year old woman died from heart failure in Saudi Arabia at the start of her visit, MENA said.
Egyptian and Saudi authorities are coordinating on arranging the death certificate and burial procedures.
Pilgrims from Egypt began arriving in Saudi Arabia last week for the hajj, which begins either on August 30 or September 1, depending on the lunar calendar.
This year, around 80,000 Egyptian pilgrims will perform the hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a religious duty for all Muslims once in a lifetime who can afford the costly and difficult trip.
Last year, 43 Egyptian pilgrims died from natural causes during the pilgrimage.
The death of pilgrims due to heat exhaustion, fatigue and other natural causes is a regular occurrence on the hajj.
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