In the not-so-distant past, it was not unknown for many thousands to perish on the way to Mecca. And now, even with today’s modern technology, the poor of the world still make the ultimate sacrifice for the pilgrimage that all Muslims are dictated to do.
This year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has seen a tragic rise in fatalities, with the death toll surpassing 1,000, according to an AFP tally released on Thursday. Over half of these deaths were unregistered pilgrims who braved the extreme heat to perform one of Islam’s five pillars, which mandates that every able Muslim complete the pilgrimage at least once if they are financially capable. Here are the details surrounding this devastating event:
More than 1,000 people die at hajj.pilgrimage 2024 amid extreme heat in Saudi ArabiaAFP reports. Riyadh The death toll from this year's hajj has exceeded an AFP tally said on Thursday than half of them unregistered worshippers who performed the pilgrimage in extreme heat in KSA pic.twitter.com/8ggps33STK
— Mohammad۔ (@Mohamma02796372) June 20, 2024
During this year’s Hajj, which occurred during the peak of the Saudi summer, temperatures soared to a high of 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit) at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. This intense heat has been linked to numerous fatalities, particularly among those without access to the air-conditioned facilities available to registered pilgrims. Unregistered pilgrims often attempt the Hajj without official permits due to the high costs involved, making them more vulnerable to such extreme conditions.
Reports indicate a significant number of deaths from various countries, with Egypt alone reporting 658 dead, of whom 630 were unregistered. Jordan has also reported the deaths of 68 of its nationals, with additional pilgrims still missing. The fatalities and conditions during the Hajj have been highlighted through both official statements and a flurry of social media posts depicting the harsh realities faced by pilgrims on the ground.
577 die in Saudi heat as hajj hit by tragedy: More than 550 hajj pilgrims die in Mecca as temperatures exceed 50C At least 320 of the dead are from Egypt and Saudi officials report treating more than 2,000 people for heat stress … https://t.co/x0BPOD24Nc pic.twitter.com/bJ5PMqsWH6
— JPNWMN (@JPNWMN) June 19, 2024
Saudi authorities had taken measures earlier this month to clear hundreds of thousands of unregistered pilgrims from Mecca. However, many appear to have participated in the main rites, which began last Friday, adding to the overcrowding and exacerbating the risk of heat-related illnesses.
This year’s pilgrimage has not only been marked by the physical toll on participants but also by the broader implications of climate change, as regional temperatures continue to rise, increasing by approximately 0.4 degrees Celsius per decade. This trend underscores the growing challenges faced by the annual event, which draws millions from around the globe.
More than 550 Hajji pilgrims die in Mecca as temperatures exceed 50C
At least 320 of the dead are from Egypt and Saudi officials report treating more than 2,000 people for heat stress.
~ @guardian pic.twitter.com/Vk529I1MW1
— MOZE (@Mozeserugo) June 19, 2024
As families and friends of pilgrims search hospitals and appeal online for information about their loved ones, the international community watches closely, and discussions about safety measures and the impact of climate change on such large-scale religious events are likely to intensify. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, while not providing specific details on the fatalities, reported over 2,700 cases of heat exhaustion in a single day, highlighting the severe conditions faced during this year’s pilgrimage.
Major Points
- Over 1,000 deaths reported at this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, with more than half being unregistered worshippers.
- Extreme heat with temperatures reaching 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit) at the Grand Mosque in Mecca contributed to the fatalities.
- Many deaths occurred among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned facilities provided for registered participants.
- Egypt reported the highest number of fatalities, with 658 deaths, most of whom were unregistered.
- Saudi authorities recorded over 2,700 cases of heat exhaustion in one day, underscoring the severe conditions faced during the pilgrimage.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
