Ali Kotub was accompanied by his wife, who said when the plane finally started its descent, her husband raised both his hands expressing thanks to Almighty Allah, she said.

“Then he reclined on the seat and when the plane finally stopped he did not get up. A doctor on board examined him and pronounced him dead,” she said.

According to the doctor his death occurred 10 minutes before the plane landed.

At least 15 Indian pilgrims have died as of Thursday due to various causes, according to Indian diplomatic sources. By Wednesday night, 54,959 pilgrims have arrived from the country.