Saudis Crack Down on Illegal Hajj Pilgrims After 2024 Fatalities

Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to curb unauthorized pilgrims from the annual Hajj journey that starts next week, a year after more than 1,300 people died during the gathering amid extreme heat.

Illegal pilgrims face arrest, deportation and fines in excess of $5,000, while people found helping them risk penalties of almost $27,000, according to government text messages sent routinely to Saudi residents.