
Muslim pilgrims head on the walkway leading to the pillars where Muslim pilgrims partake in the symbolic stoning of the devil at the Jamarat Bridge in Mina, near Mecca, which marks the final major rite of the Hajj pilgrimage on August 23, 2018. (Photo: AFP)
The death toll among Egyptian pilgrims performing the hajj in Saudi Arabia this year has risen to 39, a statement by Egypt’s health ministry said on Wednesday.
Health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said that a 63-year-old man from Alexandria and 81-year-old man from Aswan died of hypotension while performing the hajj rituals in Mecca.
Meghad said that Egyptian authorities are coordinating with Saudi officials to issue death certificates for the deceased Egyptians.
Around 2 million Muslim pilgrims – and 80,000 Egyptians – are performing the hajj this year.
Deaths from heat exhaustion, fatigue and natural causes are a common occurrence among pilgrims on the hajj, which takes place this year from 19 to 24 August.
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