20 Jun. 24: At least 550 pilgrims have died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah due to extreme heat, according to Arab diplomats. The Saudi national meteorology center reported that temperatures at the Grand Mosque in Makkah reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday.
The majority of the deceased were Egyptians, with 323 succumbing to heat-related illnesses. One diplomat noted, “All of them (the Egyptians) died because of heat,” except for one who sustained fatal injuries during a minor crowd crush. The total number of fatalities was confirmed by the morgue in Makkah’s Al-Muaisem neighborhood.
In addition to the Egyptian casualties, at least 60 Jordanians also perished, bringing the total reported deaths from various countries to 577, as per an AFP tally.
Saudi authorities have treated over 2,000 pilgrims for heat stress, but updated figures on fatalities have not been provided since Sunday. Despite advisories for pilgrims to use umbrellas, stay hydrated, and avoid sun exposure during peak heat hours, many of the Hajj rituals require extended periods outdoors.
Witnesses reported seeing motionless bodies along the roadsides and ambulance services struggling to cope with the situation. Approximately 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the Hajj this year, with 1.6 million coming from abroad. However, tens of thousands of pilgrims, seeking to save money, attempt the pilgrimage without securing official visas, making it more dangerous as they cannot access air-conditioned facilities provided by Saudi authorities.
