Virus fears prompt fall in Muslim hajj crowds

Muslims from across the world yesterday poured into a sprawling tent city in the Saudi desert before the start of the annual Islamic hajj pilgrimage.

However, the number of the pilgrims this year has been reduced in part by concerns over a respiratory virus centred in the Arabian peninsula.

More than 2m pilgrims — about 1m fewer than last year — streamed from the holy city of Mecca to a huge tent encampment in Mina to begin preparations for the hajj with a day of prayer and supplication.

Authorities sharply cut back on visas for groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses as a precaution against a new respiratory virus related to Sars that has killed more than 50 people in the kingdom this past year.

The Saudi health minister, Abdullah al-Rabiah, said late Saturday no cases of the coronavirus infection have been detected among pilgrims.

Further visa restrictions were imposed because of massive construction projects under way in Mecca.