The media report at least 550 deaths during the pilgrimage to Mecca, including four Russian pilgrims. Extremely hot weather in Mecca during the days of the Muslim pilgrimage has caused deaths during the Hajj rituals. This was officially announced in the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Jeddah. It said that they died while performing Hajj rites "from natural causes related to the state of their health and age".


Muslim Tour, a hajj operator accredited by the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, said there were no fatalities among Russians performing hajj under the RBM.


Hajj is one of the five main pillars of Islam and marks the unity of all Muslims in the world. It is for five million Muslims from all over the world - from North and South America, from Europe, Asia, Australia, from all corners of the world. Among them are more than 25 thousand of our compatriots, who left by quota and performed the rituals of Hajj, praying for forgiveness of sins, praying for their relatives and friends, for peace in the world. The culmination of Hajj is standing on Mount Arafat.

The Hajj Commission of Russia recommended pilgrims to use umbrellas and hats, as well as to drink more water, and pilgrims with chronic and cardiovascular diseases and pregnant women - to pay attention to their well-being and if necessary to return to the hotel.