A Saudi Arabian diplomat reported on Wednesday that 68 Indian nationals died during this year's hajj pilgrimage, which was marked by extreme heat. This brings the total death toll to over 600. "We have confirmed around 68 dead. Some are due to natural causes, particularly among older pilgrims, while others we assume succumbed to the weather conditions," the diplomat, speaking anonymously, told AFP.

This new figure follows a report by two Arab diplomats on Tuesday, who stated that 550 deaths had been recorded during the hajj. This pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam that all Muslims with the means are required to perform at least once. Among these, 323 were Egyptians and 60 were Jordanians, with nearly all the Egyptians reportedly dying from heat-related causes.

Other fatalities have been confirmed by officials from Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, and Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. However, many of these authorities have not specified the causes of death. According to an AFP tally, the total number of deaths reported so far is 645.

Last year, over 200 pilgrims were reported dead, with the majority being from Indonesia. While Saudi Arabia has not provided specific information on the fatalities, it did report over 2,700 cases of "heat exhaustion" on Sunday alone.

The diplomat who confirmed the Indian fatalities also mentioned that some Indian pilgrims were missing, though he did not give an exact number. "This happens every year... We can't say that it is abnormally high this year," he commented. "It's somewhat similar to last year, but we will know more in the coming days."

The hajj has taken place during the sweltering Saudi summer for several years now. A Saudi study published last month indicated that temperatures in the area where the rituals are performed are rising by 0.4 degrees Celsius (0.72 degrees Fahrenheit) each decade.

The combination of high temperatures and large crowds can create hazardous conditions for pilgrims, many of whom are elderly and susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Despite these challenges, millions of Muslims continue to undertake the pilgrimage each year, driven by deep religious commitment.

As investigations continue and more information becomes available, authorities will likely provide further details on the causes of these fatalities and any measures that can be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

A Saudi Arabian diplomat reported on Wednesday that 68 Indian nationals died during this year's hajj pilgrimage, which was marked by extreme heat. This brings the total death toll to over 600. "We have confirmed around 68 dead. Some are due to natural causes, particularly among older pilgrims, while others we assume succumbed to the weather conditions," the diplomat, speaking anonymously, told AFP.

This new figure follows a report by two Arab diplomats on Tuesday, who stated that 550 deaths had been recorded during the hajj. This pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam that all Muslims with the means are required to perform at least once. Among these, 323 were Egyptians and 60 were Jordanians, with nearly all the Egyptians reportedly dying from heat-related causes.

Other fatalities have been confirmed by officials from Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, and Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. However, many of these authorities have not specified the causes of death. According to an AFP tally, the total number of deaths reported so far is 645.

Last year, over 200 pilgrims were reported dead, with the majority being from Indonesia. While Saudi Arabia has not provided specific information on the fatalities, it did report over 2,700 cases of "heat exhaustion" on Sunday alone.

The diplomat who confirmed the Indian fatalities also mentioned that some Indian pilgrims were missing, though he did not give an exact number. "This happens every year... We can't say that it is abnormally high this year," he commented. "It's somewhat similar to last year, but we will know more in the coming days."

The hajj has taken place during the sweltering Saudi summer for several years now. A Saudi study published last month indicated that temperatures in the area where the rituals are performed are rising by 0.4 degrees Celsius (0.72 degrees Fahrenheit) each decade.

The combination of high temperatures and large crowds can create hazardous conditions for pilgrims, many of whom are elderly and susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Despite these challenges, millions of Muslims continue to undertake the pilgrimage each year, driven by deep religious commitment.

As investigations continue and more information becomes available, authorities will likely provide further details on the causes of these fatalities and any measures that can be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.