The death toll from this year's Hajj has surpassed 1,000, with more than half being unregistered worshippers, according to an AFP tally.
Breitbart News reported that the fatalities largely resulted from unprecedented, extremely high temperatures permeating the region.
This year’s pilgrimage to Mecca witnessed the deadliest outcome in recent history, with temperatures soaring to a record high of 51.8 degrees Celsius. The intense heat affected the pilgrims, especially the massive influx of unregistered participants who lacked access to essential cooling facilities.
The majority of those who died were not registered for the pilgrimage. Official figures show that around 1.8 million officially registered pilgrims were better equipped, with access to air-conditioned amenities vital for withstanding the harsh conditions.
According to Saudi officials, the unregistered pilgrims, including a significant number of Egyptians, had minimal support. Egypt's foreign ministry pointed out that many of its nationals were unaccounted for. “However, there are large numbers of Egyptian citizens who are not registered in Hajj databases, which requires double the effort and a longer time to search for missing persons and find their relatives,” stated the ministry.
The tragedy has affected diverse global communities, with deaths reported from countries including Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Jordan, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, Sudan, and the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The Jordanian government also reported several pilgrims missing and others in critical condition.
In managing this crisis, the Saudi authorities have been responsible for all burial processes, strictly adhering to the customs required in such situations. "The burial is done by the Saudi authorities. They have their system so we just follow that," a representative explained the procedure.
A Saudi study released last month highlighted the rising temperatures in the region, foreshadowing the challenging conditions. Over 2,700 cases of heat exhaustion were alone reported last Sunday, indicating the harshness of the climate that pilgrims had to endure.
The surge in fatalities has raised alarms over the future safety of the Hajj pilgrimage, with environmental studies predicting even more challenging conditions due to climate change. These climatic shifts threaten to compromise the annual religious event, which holds significant cultural and religious prestige for Saudi Arabia.
Despite rigorous efforts by security forces over the week to manage the influx of unregistered pilgrims, the relentless heat proved too much for many to bear. An Arab diplomat highlighted the plight of pilgrims, stating, “People were tired after being chased by security forces before Arafat day. They were exhausted.”
A Pakistani diplomat expressed a somber resignation to the situation. “I think given the number of people, given the weather, this is just natural,” he commented on the mounting casualties. This reflects a broader acknowledgment of the harsh realities faced during such massive gatherings under extreme weather conditions.
In conclusion, this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has been marked by a tragic and historic death toll spurred by record-high temperatures. With over 1,000 fatalities, predominantly among unregistered pilgrims, the event has cast a spotlight on the urgent need for enhanced measures and infrastructure to accommodate and protect all worshippers.
As global leaders and the Saudi authorities grapple with the situation, the world watches on, hoping for improved conditions and safer pilgrimages in the future.
