4 days ago
Drones used to surveil Hajj participants as 269,000 barred from Mecca
Saudi Arabian authorities have stopped more than 269,000 people without the necessary permits from entering Mecca ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The Saudi government attributes overcrowding during the Hajj to unauthorised participants, noting that many who died in last year's extreme heat lacked official permission.
There are currently 1.4 million Muslims officially in Mecca, with more expected in the coming days.
Fines of up to $5,000 and deportation are imposed on those performing the Hajj without a permit, including citizens and Saudi residents.
Officials have penalised more than 23,000 Saudi residents for violating Hajj regulations and revoked the licenses of 400 Hajj companies. Drones are being used for surveillance and fire monitoring.
