Haj and Big Brother

Muslim pilgrims joining this year’s Haj in Saudi Arabia will have to wear an electronic safety bracelet, after more than 2,000 died in a stampede last year.

The high-tech safety measure will help authorities provide care “and identify people”, papers reported.

Bracelets are connected to a GPS location system and store each pilgrim’s personal information, including address and medical records

At least 2,297 pilgrims died during the stampede on September 24 during last year’s Haj, according to data from foreign officials, some of whom expressed concerns about difficulty in identifying the victims.

Saudi Arabia issued a death toll of 769.

It was the worst disaster in Haj history.