CNN —Six people have died from heatstroke during the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, amid warnings from Saudi officials that temperatures during the annual gathering could reach 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) this year. More than 1.8 million people are taking part in Hajj this year, according to the Saudi General Authority for Statistics. The Hajj is one of the biggest religious gatherings in the world and the largest annual event in Saudi Arabia. This year, Saudi Arabia is expected to experience extreme heat over the five-day pilgrimage, with temperatures reaching 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) in Mecca. A Muslim pilgrim splashes water on his head to cool off at the base of Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat during the Hajj pilgrimage on June 15, 2024.

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Persons: Mount Arafat, Ramadan, Fadel Senna, Muhammad Al, Abdulaali, Jordan, Hajj – Organizations: CNN, Saudi, Saudi General Authority, Statistics, Getty Locations: heatstroke, Mecca, Jordanian, Jeddah, Jordan, Arafat, Saudi Arabia, Hajj, Saudi, AFP