As many as 98 Indians have died during Hajj this year, the ministry of external affairs said on Friday. Last year, 187 Indians had passed away during Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the deaths have happened due to various reasons, including natural illness, natural causes, chronic illness, and also old age.
"This year we have 1,75,000 Indians who have already visited Hajj. So far we have lost 98 of our citizens," Randhir Jaiswal said.
"On the day of Arafat, six Indians died and four Indians died on account of accidents. Last year the figure of Indians who died in Hajj was 187," Jaiswal said.
We will do all we can for the Indians there, he added.
Hundreds of people died during this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced intense high temperatures, as the pilgrimage involves hours of walking. Saudi Arabia saw temperatures touching 51.8 degrees Celsius this week.
