The pilgrimage to Mecca sees death every year due to the time of the year, and where the city is. Some years hundreds upon hundreds die making the journey. In the past, thousands have perished.
During this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in western Saudi Arabia, at least 323 Egyptian pilgrims died, primarily due to heat-related illnesses, as reported by two Arab diplomats. These fatalities occurred in the Al-Muaisem neighborhood of Mecca, a major location for pilgrims. In addition to the Egyptians, at least 60 Jordanians also succumbed, with earlier reports from the Jordanian government indicating only 41 deaths. This brings the total number of reported deaths from various countries to 577, with the morgue in Al-Muaisem recording 550 of these.
❗🔥🇸🇦 – During the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, at least 323 Egyptian pilgrims died, mainly due to heat-related illnesses, according to Arab diplomats.
Only one of the deaths was caused by injuries at a small gathering.
Additionally, 60 Jordanians also died, exceeding… pic.twitter.com/fRDdKEz61t
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) June 18, 2024
The diplomats highlighted that all Egyptian deaths were due to heat, except for one individual who died from injuries sustained in a minor crowd crush. The rising temperatures in the region, which have increased by 0.4 degrees Celsius per decade according to a recent Saudi study, are exacerbating the risks for pilgrims, linking these tragic incidents to the broader issue of climate change affecting the pilgrimage.
More than 550 people have died due to extreme heat during hajj in Saudi Arabia – AFP
The dead include 323 Egyptians, about 60 pilgrims from Jordan and 35 from Tunisia. They had come to perform the traditional pilgrimage to the holy sites of Mecca and Medina.
The main causes of… pic.twitter.com/8A9ZgpPmuS
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 19, 2024
This year, approximately 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the Hajj, with 1.6 million coming from abroad. The pilgrimage, a central pillar of Islam, requires Muslims with the means to undertake it at least once in their lifetime. However, the high costs associated with the official Hajj visa have led tens of thousands each year to attempt the pilgrimage without proper registration. This unauthorized approach significantly increases their risk as they lack access to essential services, such as air-conditioned facilities along the route, which are provided to registered pilgrims.
Tragedies have marked this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, as at least 550 pilgrims have died, primarily because of heat-related illnesses.#HajjPilfrims #Hajj #WorldNews #Heatwave #Mecca pic.twitter.com/Xnld3uAklP
— News18 (@CNNnews18) June 19, 2024
The issue of unregistered pilgrims has been significant enough for Saudi authorities to conduct clearances of hundreds of thousands from Mecca prior to the Hajj, emphasizing the ongoing challenges in managing the safety and logistics of such a large-scale religious event. The death toll this year has also included pilgrims from Indonesia, Iran, and Senegal, marking a particularly deadly season for the Hajj, as countries and authorities continue to grapple with the environmental and organizational strains on this massive annual gathering.
Major Points:
- At least 323 Egyptian pilgrims died during the Hajj in Saudi Arabia, primarily due to heat-related illnesses.
- An additional 60 Jordanian pilgrims also died, increasing the total reported deaths from various countries to 577.
- Most fatalities were recorded at the morgue in the Al-Muaisem neighborhood of Mecca.
- The annual pilgrimage is increasingly impacted by rising temperatures, with a study noting a 0.4°C increase per decade.
- Many deaths were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned facilities provided by Saudi authorities.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
