Jakarta, July 14 -- Indonesian and Saudi Arabian authorities are continuing the search for three Indonesian Hajj pilgrims who have been reported missing.

"Hopefully, they will be found, whether alive or otherwise," said Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar on Monday.

He suggested that the three missing pilgrims may be suffering from dementia, a condition that might not have been detected during pre-departure medical screenings.

The extreme heat in Saudi Arabia, where temperatures have reached up to 50 degrees Celsius, is believed to have worsened their condition.

"Most likely, during the medical examination, they appeared fine. But once they arrived and were exposed to the 50-degree heat, their condition may have deteriorated...