Saudi Arabia has barred more than 269,000 people without permits for the annual Hajj pilgrimage from entering Mecca this week, authorities said, as the world's largest annual gathering of people has officially begun.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its steadfast commitment to ensuring a safe, secure, and well-organized Hajj,

A Saudi government spokesperson says more than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are in the country for this year's Hajj.