At least 1,301 people died during Hajj, Saudi Arabia says, mostly unauthorised pilgrims who walked long distances in intense heat.

More than three-quarters of those who died did not have official permits to be there and walked under direct sunlight without adequate shelter.

This year’s pilgrimage took place during a heatwave, with temperatures at times exceeding 50°C.

Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel said efforts had been made to raise awareness about the dangers of heat stress and how pilgrims could mitigate this.

Saudi Arabia has been criticised for not doing more to make the Hajj safer, especially for unregistered pilgrims who have no access to facilities such as air conditioned tents and official Hajj transport.

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