Six persons have died in the past four days during theongoing pilgrimage to Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, takingthe death toll in this year's pilgrimage to 22, officials said on July 20."Sixpilgrims died due to various causes during their pilgrimage to the holy caveshrine of Shri Amarnathji," the officials said here.

Among the dead are 18 pilgrims, two 'sevadars' (volunteers) and two security force personnel deployed on duty en route the holy cave.

In addition to these, 30 others have suffered injuries dueto shooting stones and other causes since the commencement of the pilgrimage onJuly 1, the officials said.Deaths due to cardiac arrest triggered by lack ofoxygen in the area around the cave shrine have been common over the years,prompting the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board to issue regular health advisories tothe pilgrims.All pilgrims are required to get a fitness certificate issued froma doctor before undertaking the pilgrimage to the shrine located at an altitudeof 3,888 metres.

Nearly 2.5 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance to the naturally formed ice-lingam in the cave shrine in the 19 days of the yatra this year.

The yatra will conclude on August 15, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.