Saudi Arabia is trying to find buildings to accommodate 1.6 million pilgrims for this Hajj season, according to Al Eqtisadiya on Monday.

The Hajj Authority is dedicated to provide enough accommodations than the previous years and ensure that the selected buildings are safe and fit for pilgrims, Head of Pilgrim Accommodation Committee Zuhair Hadad told local media.

Besides the buildings, all hotels in Mecca are fully booked during the season, which provide accommodations for around 400,000 pilgrims.

Illegal buildings, he warned, will be closed down and their owners will face legal actions, adding that 30 illegal buildings were shut down last season.