Over a million Muslims began Hajj in Mecca today under extreme heat, with temperatures topping 40°C.

Saudi Arabia has boosted safety precautions after some 1,300 deaths last year, deploying drones, medics and cooling units.

Authorities said most of the deaths last year were among unregistered pilgrims, who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have cracked down on the unregistered numbers to avoid past tragedies.

Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the hajj, and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.

Pilgrims performed rituals at the Kaaba and moved to Mina ahead of prayers at Mount Arafat.