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.