68 Indians Among Over 900 Hajj Pilgrims Dead In Mecca Amid Intense Heat

The death toll from the Hajj pilgrimage has exceeded 900, as reported by news agency AFP. Out of the 922 confirmed dead, 68 were from India, with numbers expected to rise further, according to an Asian diplomat. Temperatures in Mecca soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius on Monday, creating extremely challenging conditions for the approximately 1.8 million pilgrims, many of whom are elderly and frail.

An Arab diplomat informed AFP that the death toll among Egyptians surged to at least 600, up from the previous day’s 300, primarily due to the oppressive heat. This brings the total death toll to 922, based on data from various countries. Additionally, Egyptian officials in Saudi Arabia received 1,400 reports of missing pilgrims, including the confirmed dead.

Fatalities have been reported from several countries, including Jordan, Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, and Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region. Specific causes of death have not always been disclosed. Jordanian officials reported 20 missing pilgrims, with 80 initially unaccounted for, later found in hospitals.

Saudi Arabia has not released official fatality figures but reported over 2,700 cases of ‘heat exhaustion’ on Sunday alone. Last year, more than 200 pilgrims, mostly from Indonesia, were reported dead. Social media platforms are inundated with photos and information requests for the missing, as families frantically search for their loved ones amid the rising deaths.

Despite these reports, Saudi Arabia’s health ministry has denied any heat-related deaths. The ministry stated on Monday, June 17, that there were no significant heat-related deaths among this year’s pilgrims. Reuters cited Jameel Abualenain, a health ministry official, attributing the deaths to varied health conditions and pre-existing illnesses among the pilgrims.

Rising Temperatures During Hajj

A Saudi study published in the Journal of Travel and Medicine noted a gradual temperature increase in Hajj ritual areas by 0.4 degrees Celsius (0.72 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade, highlighting the impact of climate change. With temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius on Monday, Egypt’s foreign ministry confirmed cooperation with Saudi authorities to search for missing Egyptians but did not specify casualty numbers.

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Saudi authorities reported treating over 2,000 pilgrims for heat stress but have not updated the death toll since Sunday. Last year, at least 240 pilgrims, mostly Indonesians, were reported dead by various nations.

Unregistered Hajj Pilgrims Pose a Problem

The issue of unregistered pilgrims is growing, with many undertaking the Hajj through unofficial channels due to the high cost of official permits. This trend has increased since the introduction of a general tourism visa in 2019. Saudi diplomats noted that these tourists often lack awareness of local conditions, increasing their vulnerability. These pilgrims, lacking access to air-conditioned facilities, face heightened risks. An Egyptian diplomat indicated that these unregistered pilgrims significantly contributed to Egypt’s death toll, citing service breakdowns in camps.

Even officially registered pilgrims face risks. AFP reported on a 70-year-old Egyptian pilgrim who has been missing since Saturday after she went to clean her abaya in a public bathroom following prayers on Mount Arafat and never returned.

The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a mandatory duty for Muslims who can afford it, scheduled according to the Islamic lunar calendar.