1301 Dead During Hajj Pilgrimage Due to Extreme Heat and Unauthorized Trips

1301 Dead During Hajj Pilgrimage Due to Extreme Heat and Unauthorized Trips

Dil Bar Irshad | June 24, 2024 | 08:27 AM IST | Breaking News, Saudi Arabia, World | Follow on Google News

1301 Dead During Hajj Pilgrimage Due to Extreme Heat and Unauthorized Trips

1301 Dead During Hajj Pilgrimage Due to Extreme Heat and Unauthorized Trips

Key Highlights:

1. 1,301 pilgrims died during the Hajj pilgrimage, with heat stress as a major cause.
2. 83% of deaths involved unauthorized pilgrims, who lacked adequate shelter and comfort.
3. The extreme heat in Mecca reached 125°F, exacerbating the health crisis.

Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that 1,301 people died during the Hajj pilgrimage, with a significant number of these deaths attributed to heat stress and unauthorized trips, as reported by CNN. The Saudi government stated, “The health system addressed numerous cases of heat stress this year, with some individuals still under care. Regrettably, the number of mortalities reached 1,301.”

The statement highlighted that 83% of the deceased were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances under direct sunlight without adequate shelter or comfort. The victims included several elderly and chronically ill individuals. The families of all the deceased have now been identified.

The extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to a record 125 degrees Fahrenheit in Mecca, has been cited as a primary cause of the high death toll. Unofficial pilgrimages contributed to the problem, as these pilgrims did not travel in organized, air-conditioned tour buses with access to water and food supplies.

Saudi Arabia mandates that each pilgrim must obtain one of the 1.8 million available licenses to legally access Mecca, which can cost several thousand US dollars. Unauthorized pilgrims often lack proper travel arrangements, exacerbating the risks during the pilgrimage. The delay in issuing an official death toll was attributed to the complexity of identifying unauthorized pilgrims.

Criticism has been directed at the poor infrastructure and organization of this year’s Hajj. Even official pilgrims faced extreme conditions, spending much of their time walking outdoors in the scorching heat. Some witnesses reported seeing worshippers losing consciousness and bodies covered in white cloth.

In response to the crisis, the Egyptian government has pledged to revoke the licenses of 16 Hajj tourism firms involved in illegal pilgrimages and to prosecute the managers. The Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and promised support.

The timing of the Hajj pilgrimage, based on the Islamic lunar calendar, coincided with exceptionally high temperatures this year. The faithful are required to perform various rituals in and around Mecca, often involving many hours of walking in intense heat, further contributing to the high number of casualties.

(Inputs from CNN)

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.