Hajj pilgrims began leaving Makkah on Friday after more than 1.7 million Muslims completed the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, officials and witnesses said.
Pilgrims were due to finish the third day of the stoning ritual in Mina before returning to the Grand Mosque for the farewell tawaf.
Saudi authorities said participants came from 165 countries. More than 30,000 Iranians attended, below the 86,000 initially expected, Iran’s IRNA said.
Ahmed Mamdouh, a 37-year-old Egyptian pilgrim, said he was grateful to complete Hajj safely despite the heat.
The Saudi Red Crescent said Thursday it had provided emergency services to more than 83,000 people since the Hajj season began.
Read: Hajj Sermon Arafat Urges Patience, Unity
Saudi Arabia expanded shaded areas and deployed extra health workers after more than 1,300 pilgrims died during the 2024 Hajj.
