The Saudi Health Ministry said more than 2,760 pilgrims suffered from sunstroke and heat stress on Sunday alone and the number is likely to increase as Hajj ends.

Chinese Muslims take roundabout trips for their Hajj pilgrimage, trying to circumvent China's tightened surveillance at every turn — and possible arrest on their return, pilgrims and tour leaders say.

This is the largest pilgrimage since 2019, after which the Hajj was dramatically curbed due to coronavirus restrictions that limited the pilgrimage to just a few thousand people.

Before the pandemic, the hajj pilgrimage drew millions each year to Islam's holy city of Mecca, home to the cube-shaped Kaaba that observant Muslims pray toward five times a day.

Religiously speaking, it was not a substitute for the real pilgrimage, which all Muslims must try to make in their lifetime. But it inspired many to go once it's possible again.