"This afternoon at 17:00 GMT, a French participant in the 35th MARATHON DES SABLES suffered a fainting spell in the Merzouga dunes," organizers said in a statement.

The man, who was in his early fifties and had fulfilled all the medical requirements for the race, had successfully completed the first stage without the need for medical assistance, the source added.

"After he collapsed, he was immediately rescued by two other competitors who are also doctors, who triggered the SOS button on his beacon and started the heart massage protocol," the source pointed out, adding that the event's Medical Director arrived on the scene within minutes by helicopter and took over from the participants.

After forty-five minutes of resuscitation, the medical team had to pronounce him dead, the source said.

This is the third time that such an event has occurred on the MARATHON DES SABLES in 35 editions.

On this occasion, the Race Director, Patrick Bauer, and all the family of the Marathon Des Sables express their sincere condolences to his close relatives.

"In order to respect all the people who have prepared for this adventure, the staff has decided to continue the race. A minute of silence will be observed before the start of the third stage," the statement read.