Saudi Arabia is grappling with an overwhelming crisis as temperatures soar to 125 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to hundreds of fatalities among pilgrims.
According to Breitbart News, the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 550 Muslims, predominantly due to severe heat-related illnesses.
The sweltering heat in Mecca has proven fatal, with temperatures reaching an unbearable 125 degrees Fahrenheit in June. The majority of the 550 confirmed deaths have been attributed to heat-related illnesses, highlighting the harsh conditions faced by the pilgrims. As a result, over 2,000 individuals have been treated for heat stress, further straining the already overwhelmed medical services.
Saudi officials have not updated the death toll since Sunday, but local media reports suggest that the number of fatalities might be higher. According to AFP, the death tally stood at 645 as of Wednesday. The largest morgue in Mecca currently holds 550 bodies, reflecting the scale of the tragedy.
The fatalities include 323 Egyptians and 60 Jordanians, with some deaths resulting from a minor crowd crush and others due to complications from the extreme heat. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry is actively working with Saudi authorities to locate missing Egyptians, although the exact number of Egyptian deaths remains unspecified.
The presence of illegal pilgrims further complicates the task of locating missing individuals and counting the dead. Many of these "irregular pilgrims" lack essential supplies, such as food, water, and access to air-conditioned facilities, exacerbating their vulnerability to the extreme heat.
Other countries, including Indonesia, Iran, and Senegal, have also reported deaths among their pilgrims. Friends and family members of missing individuals are scouring hospitals and seeking information online, desperate for news about their loved ones.
The Hajj pilgrimage is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims and is known for its inherent dangers. The combination of extreme heat, the age of many pilgrims, and the risk of crowd stampedes make it a perilous journey. This year's hajj has been exceptionally deadly, echoing past tragedies such as the 2015 stampede that claimed at least 2,400 lives and the 2023 incident with about 240 fatalities.
Saudi Arabia is facing criticism for its handling of the pilgrimage, with many questioning whether enough measures are in place to protect the safety of the pilgrims. The country's ability to manage the influx of millions of visitors each year is under scrutiny, particularly in light of the current crisis.
The story of a missing 70-year-old Tunisian woman underscores the plight of many unregistered pilgrims. Her husband expressed deep concern for her safety, noting her exhaustion and lack of access to air-conditioned facilities.
She’s an old lady. She was tired. She was feeling so hot, and she had no place to sleep. I looked for her in all the hospitals. Until now, I don’t have a clue.
This case highlights the broader issue of how vulnerable individuals are during the hajj, especially those who lack proper registration and resources.
The 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca has been marked by a significant number of deaths, primarily due to extreme heat. With temperatures reaching 125 degrees Fahrenheit, over 2,000 pilgrims have suffered from heat stress, straining the medical services. The presence of irregular pilgrims complicates the situation further, as they often lack basic necessities. Families and friends are frantically searching for missing loved ones amid the crisis. This tragic event raises questions about the safety measures in place for such a large-scale religious gathering.
