At least 550 pilgrims have died during Hajj amid the scorching heat. At least 323 of those who died were Egyptian citizens, most of whom died due to heat-related problems.
This year, India is witnessing a severe heat wave. At the same time, the havoc of heat is also being seen in Saudi Arabia. The situation is such that at least 550 pilgrims have died during Hajj amid the scorching heat. At least 323 of those who died were Egyptian citizens, most of whom died due to heat-related problems. A diplomat said that all but one of the 323 Egyptian Hajj pilgrims died due to heat. At the same time, one Hajj pilgrim was injured during the rush. This figure has come from the morgue of the hospital in Al-Muaisam near Mecca.
60 Jordanians killed
According to diplomats, at least 60 Jordanians have also died, while on Tuesday Amman officially reported 41 deaths. According to AFP report, with the latest figures, the total number of deaths reported so far by several countries has gone up to 577. Diplomats said that there were a total of 550 bodies in Al-Muaisam, one of the largest morgues in Mecca.
According to AFP report, with the latest figures, the total number of deaths reported so far by several countries has gone up to 577.
According to Saudi research published last month, the Haj pilgrimage is being rapidly affected by climate change. The research also said that the temperature in the area where the rituals are performed is rising by 0.4 degrees Celsius (0.72 degrees Fahrenheit) every decade. The Saudi National Meteorological Center said temperatures at Mecca’s Grand Mosque reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit) on Monday.
Heat hits pilgrims
On Tuesday, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said Cairo was working closely with Saudi authorities to search for Egyptians missing during the Hajj. While the ministry statement said there had been “a certain number of deaths,” it did not clarify whether Egyptians were among them. Saudi authorities reported treating more than 2,000 pilgrims suffering from heat, but have not updated that figure since Sunday and have not provided details about the deaths.
More than 200 pilgrims died last year too
Last year, various countries reported the deaths of at least 240 pilgrims, most of them Indonesian citizens. AFP journalists in Mina, outside Mecca, on Monday saw pilgrims pouring water bottles over their heads while volunteers handed out cold drinks and chocolate ice cream to keep them cool. Saudi authorities have advised pilgrims to use umbrellas, drink plenty of water and avoid going out in the sun during the hottest hours of the day.
AFP journalists in Mina, outside Mecca, on Monday saw pilgrims pouring water bottles over their heads while volunteers handed out cold drinks and chocolate ice cream to keep them cool.
1.8 million pilgrims took part in Hajj
According to Saudi officials, around 1.8 million pilgrims took part in Hajj this year, 1.6 million of them foreigners. Every year, thousands of pilgrims attempt to perform Hajj through irregular channels because they cannot afford the often costly procedures for official Hajj visas. This further increases the risk for unregistered pilgrims as they cannot use the air-conditioned facilities provided by Saudi authorities along the Hajj route.
“Irregular pilgrims caused a lot of problems in Egypt’s pilgrim camps, bringing services to a standstill,” said an Egyptian official who oversees the country’s hajj mission. “The pilgrims stayed for long periods without food, water or air conditioning.” They “died from the heat because most had no place to take shelter.” Earlier this month, Saudi authorities said they had expelled hundreds of thousands of unregistered pilgrims from Mecca ahead of the hajj.
Countries whose citizens died from heat in Mecca
Other countries that reported deaths during this year’s hajj include Indonesia, Iran and Senegal. Most countries have not said how many deaths were heat-related. Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdul Rahman al-Jalajel said on Tuesday that health plans for the hajj had been “successfully implemented,” preventing major outbreaks of disease and other public health hazards.
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