India, June 3 -- Authorities in Saudi Arabia have stopped nearly 2,70,000 people from entering Mecca in advance of this year's Hajj pilgrimage, in what officials say is an effort part of a broader initiative to reduce overcrowding and rule out safety risks.

By Sunday, 1.4 million officially registered pilgrims had arrived in Mecca, with more expected on the way in the coming days.

Saudi authorities' action comes as part of a sweeping crackdown on unauthorised access, officials cited in an Associated Press news agency report announced on Sunday.

Officials said the effort is part of a broader initiative to reduce overcrowding and mitigate safety risks during the pilgrimage. The Saudi government pointed to unauthorised participants as a s...