Over 20 pilgrims taking part in this year’s lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia were feared dead on Friday, Saturday Tribune has learnt.

The deaths, according to findings, were occasioned by excessive heat recorded during this year’s exercise, which was said to be in the region of 50 degrees centigrade, coupled with over congestion.

The high temperature was said to be the highest ever recorded in the last 10 years.

Saturday Tribune gathered that no Nigerian was among the affected, but corpses of the dead were brought into Ka’abba mosque at the interval of five minutes for prayers before burial in line with Islamic dictate.

Saudi authorities were said to have risen to the occasion as many people were said to have been rushed to the hospitals for prompt medical treatment. People were also said to have been encouraged to break their Ramaddan fast early to avoid more catastrophes.

Meanwhile, Saudi authorities have announced decision to commence expansion of the holy mosque of Ka’ abba to accommodate additional 300,000 pilgrims against next year’s exercise.

The decision was contained in a statement issued on Friday, saying the expansion would cater to next year’s pilgrims to the holy land.