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ShareDubai: An Indian was among the four pilgrims who died of swine flu soon after arriving in Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Hajj.
In a statement, Saudi Arabia's ministry of health has confirmed the death of four pilgrims who were from India, Sudan, Morocco and Nigeria. The ministry said all those who died had not taken the vaccine against the virus.
Three of the victims, including the Indian, were 75 years old and the fourth was a 17-year-old Nigerian, it said.
The identity of those dead have, however, not yet been revealed. The virus has cast a shadow on this year's Hajj, as the pilgrimage is known.
All able-bodied Muslims are required to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime if they have the financial wherewithal to undertake it.
The pilgrimage that attracts millions of people from 160 countries begins this year on November 26, as the winter flu season approaches in the Northern Hemisphere.
The authorities have been taking measures to minimise the impact of swine flu. Eight new first aid clinics were opened until midnight to counter the second wave of the swine flu.
Additionally, 25 ICU-beds have been made operational by the ministry at the 100-bed King Saud Hospital, which will be utilised temporarily for pilgrims.
The Saudi government had earlier recommended that elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases and children skip the Hajj this year.
