Hajj heatwave death toll climbs to 1,081

The death toll from the intense heat during the Hajj pilgrimage has hit 1,081, among them 58 Pakistani pilgrims, officials confirmed on Friday.

Over 1.8 million pilgrims from across the world, including the elderly, women, and children, performed the annual sacred ritual this year in Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom recorded the highest 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit) temperature on Monday, which caused many deaths of the pilgrims.

According to AFP, among the pilgrims who died, 658 were Egyptians, most of whom succumbed to heat-related illnesses.

The fatalities included at least 144 Indonesians, 68 Indians, 60 Jordanians, 35 Tunisians, 11 Iranians and three Senegalese, the publication added citing Arab diplomats.

However, Saudi authorities have not updated the figure or provided information on the number of deaths since Sunday.

Saudi health officials said that they had treated over 2,500 pilgrims for heatstroke.

It should be noted that at least 240 pilgrims from various countries died during the Hajj last year, with the majority being Indonesians.