Record Deaths During Hajj Pilgrimage Amid Extreme Heat

In a tragic turn of events, more than 550 Hajj pilgrims have died in Makkah this year, as temperatures soared beyond 50°C. The grueling pilgrimage was marked by extreme heat, with 323 Egyptians among the deceased, most succumbing to heat-related illnesses, according to Arab diplomats.

"All of the Egyptians died due to heat, except for one who sustained fatal injuries during a minor crowd crush," a diplomat reported, citing information from the hospital morgue in the Al-Muaisem neighborhood of Makkah.

At least 60 Jordanians have also been reported dead, up from the earlier official count of 41 provided by Amman. An AFP tally indicates that the total number of deaths reported by various countries has reached 577.

The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, sees millions of Muslims worldwide undertake the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime if they have the means. This year, 1.8 million pilgrims participated, with 1.6 million traveling from abroad, according to Saudi authorities.

Temperatures in Makkah hit a scorching 51.8°C at the Grand Mosque on Monday, according to the Saudi national meteorology center. Many pilgrims were seen dousing themselves with water and consuming cold drinks in an attempt to stay cool. Despite advisories to use umbrellas and avoid sun exposure, the outdoor nature of many Hajj rituals, including the prayers on Mount Arafat, posed significant risks.

Saudi authorities have treated over 2,000 pilgrims for heat stress, but have not updated the fatality figures since Sunday. A study published last month noted that temperatures in the area where the rituals are performed have been rising by 0.4°C each decade, exacerbating the impact of climate change on the pilgrimage.

Adding to the crisis, many pilgrims performed the Hajj without official visas, a cost-saving measure that denied them access to air-conditioned facilities provided by Saudi authorities. This year, Saudi officials reported clearing hundreds of thousands of unregistered pilgrims from Makkah before the Hajj began.

Countries like Indonesia, Iran, and Senegal have also reported deaths among their pilgrims, though most have not specified how many were heat-related. Hosting the Hajj is a significant prestige for the Saudi royal family, with King Salman holding the title "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques."

Saudi health minister Fahd bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jalajel announced that health plans for the Hajj had been "successfully carried out," preventing major disease outbreaks. A virtual hospital provided over 5,800 consultations, primarily for heat-related illnesses.

The high death toll underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures and climate adaptation strategies to protect the millions of pilgrims who undertake this sacred journey each year.