The death toll for Egyptian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia this year has risen to 35 cases, according to Sayyed Maher, assistant interior minister for the Administrative Affairs Sector. All those who died on Hajj have been buried in Saudi Arabia with permission from their families, added Maher, who is also chief executive of the Egyptian 2016 Hajj mission. The 35 people all died of natural causes, not due to stampede or any infectious diseases, said Assistant Health Minister Ali Hegazy, who is the senior doctor for the Hajj mission. Hegazy listed the common illnesses among pilgrims visiting the Hajj clinic: stress, general fatigue, sores and cracks in their feet, colds, chronic diseases such as diabetes, and high or low blood pressure. Only 10 cases are currently hospitalized, said Hegazy, adding that they are in a stable condition, except for one case who is undergoing tests.

Source: Egypt Independent September 15, 2016 12:11 UTC