Deputy General Director of Health Affairs in Makkah Region Dr. Husein Ghannam said the pilgrims were part of a group of 15 pilgrims from the Philippines admitted to both Mina Al-Wadi Hospital and Hira Hospital in Mina after their car overturned early Saturday morning while they were on their way to Arafat.

Eleven of the  injured were taken to Mina Al-Wadi Hospital by Saudi Red Crescent ambulances, while four, one of them in critical condition, were moved by helicopter.

The 404 sick and injured pilgrims who will be assisted this year were transported in a fleet of specially-equipped ambulances under the care of highly trained medical staff. The ministry also ensures that the ambulances have adequate quantities of medical supplies.

“Assisting sick pilgrims to perform Haj is a tradition practiced by the Ministry of Health for many years. It is in line with the teachings of our religion, as long as it does not pose any harm or threat to the condition of the patient. They were carefully assessed before they are taken to Arafat,” a ministry spokesman said.

“These pilgrims spent a lot of their resources to come to the holy sites with the hope of fulfilling a lifetime dream by performing the pilgrimage, but for some reason or the other, they fell sick. So, it is our duty to help them to achieve that dream,” he added.

Standing in Arafat on the ninth day of Dul Hijjah is the most important ritual of Haj. In order to make the Haj valid, every pilgrim needs to spend at least a few moments in prayers at Arafat on this day.