At least 550 pilgrims have died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, as diplomats reported on Tuesday. This tragic number highlights the extreme conditions of the pilgrimage, which took place amid scorching temperatures reaching up to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit). Most of the deceased pilgrims succumbed to heat-related illnesses, underscoring the harsh and gruelling nature of the Hajj this year.
Of the 550 reported deaths, at least 323 were Egyptians. The majority of these deaths were due to heat, with only one Egyptian dying from injuries sustained during a minor crowd crush. This information was confirmed by two Arab diplomats coordinating their countries’ responses. The total death toll was derived from records at the hospital morgue in the Al-Muaisem neighborhood of Mecca.
Additionally, 60 Jordanians died, according to the diplomats, which is an increase from the earlier official tally of 41 provided by Amman. These new figures bring the total death count reported by various countries to 577, based on an AFP tally.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, a religious duty that every Muslim must complete at least once in their lifetime if they have the means. However, the pilgrimage is becoming increasingly challenging due to climate change. A recent Saudi study noted that temperatures in the area where Hajj rituals are performed are rising by 0.4 degrees Celsius every decade.
During this year’s Hajj, the Grand Mosque in Mecca recorded a temperature of 51.8 degrees Celsius. The extreme heat led to more than 2,000 pilgrims suffering from heat stress, though Saudi authorities have not updated this figure since Sunday and have not provided specific details on fatalities.
Egypt’s foreign ministry stated it was working with Saudi authorities to search for Egyptians who went missing during the Hajj. While the ministry acknowledged a number of deaths, it did not specify whether Egyptians were among them. Meanwhile, Saudi officials advised pilgrims to use umbrellas, drink plenty of water, and avoid the sun during the hottest parts of the day. Despite these precautions, many Hajj rituals require prolonged outdoor activity, exposing pilgrims to the intense heat.
This year, approximately 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the Hajj, with 1.6 million coming from abroad. The intense heat led to scenes of pilgrims pouring water over their heads, volunteers distributing cold drinks, and fast-melting ice cream to help them stay cool. Despite these efforts, the overwhelming heat took a significant toll.
Unregistered pilgrims, who attempt to perform the Hajj without official visas due to high costs, were particularly at risk. These individuals often cannot access the air-conditioned facilities provided along the Hajj route. An Egyptian official overseeing the country’s Hajj mission mentioned that the death toll among Egyptians was significantly increased by the presence of many unregistered pilgrims. These pilgrims faced severe hardships, including lack of food, water, and shelter, leading to fatal heat exposure.
Earlier this month, Saudi authorities cleared hundreds of thousands of unregistered pilgrims from Mecca to manage the Hajj better. However, the sheer number of irregular pilgrims still created chaos and strain on resources, contributing to the tragic outcomes.
Other countries, including Indonesia, Iran, and Senegal, also reported deaths during the Hajj, although most have not specified the causes. Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jalajel announced that health plans for the Hajj were successfully carried out, preventing major disease outbreaks and public health threats. Virtual consultations were provided to over 5,800 pilgrims, primarily for heat-related illnesses, ensuring prompt intervention and preventing a surge in cases.