Saudi Arabia reported that over 1,300 pilgrims lost their lives during the Hajj pilgrimage, which took place amidst severe heat. The official Saudi Press Agency stated that the total number of deaths reached 1,301, with 83 percent of the deceased being unauthorized to participate in the pilgrimage. These unauthorized pilgrims, according to the agency, often walked long distances under direct sunlight without proper shelter or comfort, making them particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
The deceased pilgrims came from over 10 countries, with governments continuing to update their casualty figures. Many unregistered pilgrims lacked access to amenities designed to enhance the pilgrimage experience, such as air-conditioned tents. According to Arab diplomats, Egyptians accounted for 658 deaths, with 630 of those being unregistered pilgrims. The primary cause of death in most cases was heat-related.
Temperatures in Mecca this year reached a staggering 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit), according to Saudi Arabia’s national meteorological center. While Riyadh has yet to publicly comment on its own casualty figures, a senior Saudi official informed AFP that 577 deaths occurred during the two busiest days of the hajj: June 15th, when pilgrims gathered for prayers under the hot sun on Mount Arafat, and June 16th, when they participated in the ritual of “stoning the devil” in Mina.
Despite the high number of deaths, Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel described this year’s management of the hajj as “successful”. He stated that the health system delivered over 465,000 specialized treatment services, including 141,000 services to individuals who did not have official authorization to perform the hajj.
This year, 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the hajj, with 1.6 million coming from outside Saudi Arabia. This number is similar to last year’s participation. However, experts warn that climate change will only exacerbate the dangers of heat stress during the Hajj pilgrimage in the future. A 2019 study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters predicted that heat stress during the Hajj pilgrimage will surpass the “extreme danger threshold” between 2047 to 2052 and 2079 to 2086, with increasing frequency and intensity as the century progresses.
In a significant development, the Hajj season will enter a new phase of climate change during the year 2026. The last summer Hajj will take place next year, followed by a 17-year hiatus from the hotter months. After that, the Hajj season will shift to the spring season for eight years and then finally move to the winter season. This change is necessary to mitigate the risk of heat stress and ensure the safety of pilgrims in the face of a changing climate.
