In Mecca, temperatures of 52C have led to over a thousand pilgrim deaths

In Saudi Arabia, many pilgrims have died due to the intense heat during the pilgrimage of Mecca.

According to The Guardian’s report, about two thousand pilgrims who fell ill due to the heat are currently receiving treatment, with deaths surpassing a thousand.

Thursday’s new deaths included 58 from Egypt, as reported by an Arab diplomat, bringing the total Egyptian deaths to 658, including 630 unregistered pilgrims.

Around 10 countries have reported a total of 1,081 deaths during the pilgrimage. This Hajj is one of Islam’s five pillars, obligatory for all Muslims who are able to undertake it at least once in their lifetime, as determined by the lunar Islamic calendar.

The National Meteorological Center reported a high of 51.8 degrees Celsius (127°F) at the Grand Mosque in Mecca this week.

A Saudi study published last month indicated a temperature increase of 0.4 degrees Celsius per decade in the region.

Each year, tens of thousands of pilgrims attempt to participate in the Hajj through irregular means due to the high cost of official permits.