Sweltering heat and soaring temperatures have claimed the lives of a staggering 550 pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The tragic toll includes at least 323 Egyptians, according to diplomats who spoke with AFP. The officials attributed the deaths to heat-related illnesses. “All of them (the Egyptians) died because of heat,” one diplomat stated, adding that only one Egyptian pilgrim died from injuries sustained during a minor crowd crush. The total death toll was reported by the hospital morgue in Mecca’s Al-Muaisem neighborhood.
Temperatures in the holy city reached a scorching 51.8 degrees Celsius on Monday, according to the National Center for Meteorology. The Hajj, an annual pilgrimage that Muslims are obligated to perform at least once in their lifetime, involves many rituals conducted outdoors under the direct sun. Pilgrims often face extreme heat as they walk around the Kaaba in circles.
In addition to the Egyptian fatalities, at least 60 Jordanians have also died, according to diplomats, surpassing the official count of 41 announced by Amman earlier on Tuesday. Some pilgrims described witnessing motionless bodies on the roadside and ambulance services that appeared overwhelmed at times.
The Hajj has increasingly been affected by climate change in recent years, despite the continued influx of pilgrims. This year, approximately 1.8 million pilgrims participated, with 1.6 million coming from abroad, according to Saudi authorities. Studies suggest that rising humidity and temperatures pose significant health risks to pilgrims. Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles predict that the annual pilgrimage could become more dangerous during the hottest months of the year, specifically between 2047-2052 and 2079-2086.
Thousands of unregistered Muslims who often cannot afford the costly official visa procedures attempt to perform the Hajj through irregular channels. These pilgrims are particularly vulnerable to the extreme heat as they lack access to air-conditioned services and facilities. A diplomat who spoke to AFP on Tuesday attributed the high number of Egyptian deaths to the presence of many unregistered Egyptian pilgrims.
“Irregular pilgrims caused great chaos in the Egyptian pilgrims’ camps, causing the collapse of services,” said an Egyptian official overseeing the country’s Hajj mission. “The pilgrims went without food, water, or air conditioning for a long time.” The lack of shelter and exposure to extreme heat ultimately led to their deaths.
In response to the dangers posed by the heat, Saudi officials have advised pilgrims to utilize umbrellas, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and avoid exposure to the sun during the hottest hours of the day. Experts have also recommended limiting the number of visitors and only permitting pilgrims who are in good health to participate.
Meanwhile, authorities are striving to ensure the comfort of pilgrims by providing cold water, installing large umbrellas with mist fans, and establishing hospitals to treat heat-related illnesses.
