The death toll among Egyptian pilgrims performing the hajj in Saudi Arabia has risen to 33, a statement by Egypt's health ministry said on Wednesday. Health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said that a 66-year-old man from Gharbiya, a 54-year-old man from Sohag, and a 70-year-old woman from Alexandria died of hypotension while performing the hajj rituals in Mecca. Meghad said that Egyptian authorities are coordinating with Saudi officials to issue death certificates for the three deceased Egyptians. Around 2 million Muslim pilgrims – and 80,000 Egyptians – are performing the hajj this year. Deaths from heat exhaustion, fatigue and natural causes are a common occurrence among pilgrims on the hajj, which takes place this year from 19 to 24 August.
