Hajj 2024: Bodies of some pilgrims were seen on the roadside. According to Saudi authorities, about 1.8 million pilgrims took part in the Hajj this year, of which 1.6 million were from abroad. Every year thousands of pilgrims attempt to perform Hajj through irregular channels, as they cannot afford the often expensive procedures for official Hajj visas
Hajj 2024 Death Toll: More than 1,000 pilgrims who went to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for Hajj this year have died. The scorching heat in Saudi Arabia this time remains difficult for the pilgrims who went on the Haj pilgrimage. More than half of the dead are unregistered pilgrims who went to Saudi Arabia for worship. The report said that the figures of deaths in Hajj 2024 have come through official statements or diplomats working on their countries’ responses. According to a Saudi study published last month, the temperature in the region is rising by 0.4 degrees Celsius every decade.
The Saudi National Meteorological Center recorded a temperature of 51.8 degrees Celsius at the Grand Mosque in Mecca earlier this week. According to a Saudi study published last month, the temperature in the region is rising by 0.4 degrees Celsius every decade.
Every year, thousands of pilgrims attempt to perform Hajj through irregular channels, as they often cannot afford expensive official permits. Saudi authorities reported removing hundreds of thousands of unregistered pilgrims from Mecca earlier this month, but many appeared to still take part in the main rituals that began last Friday.
68 Indians dead
The report quoted a Saudi Arabian diplomat as saying that 68 Indians have died due to rising temperatures during Hajj in Mecca. The Saudi diplomat told the agency, “We have confirmed the death of about 68 people. Some have died due to natural causes and we had many elderly pilgrims. And some have died due to weather conditions, we believe.”
1,081 deaths confirmed
This year the Hajj pilgrimage began on June 14. According to the report, the highest number of new dead sent back on Thursday (June 20) include 58 people from Egypt. According to an Arab diplomat, about 10 countries of the world have reported 1,081 deaths during the annual pilgrimage this year.
Pilgrims who died of heat stroke in Mecca Medina are being buried. At the same time, missing pilgrims are being searched. Saudi authorities have issued a warning to pilgrims to avoid sunlight. On Monday, Islam’s holiest city recorded a temperature of 51.8 degrees Celsius, while other nearby holy sites recorded a maximum temperature of 48 degrees Celsius. The Saudi National Meteorological Center said that on Monday, June 17, the temperature in Mecca’s Grand Mosque reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit).
18 lakh pilgrims arrived
This year, about 18 lakh pilgrims participated in Haj. Due to the heat, the pilgrims were transported to the holy sites by buses and trains. But the heavy and severe heat still remains a challenge for the pilgrims. A diplomat said, “All of them (Egyptian Haj pilgrims) died due to heat. Except one who was fatally injured during a minor crowd.”
Heatwave advisory issued
AFP journalists in Mina, outside Mecca, saw pilgrims pouring water bottles over their heads while volunteers handed out cold drinks and fast-melting chocolate ice cream to help them beat the heat. Saudi authorities had advised pilgrims to use umbrellas, drink plenty of water and avoid going out in the sun during the hottest hours of the day.
