News
Over 550 Hajj Pilgrims Die in Mecca as Temperatures Soar Above 50°C
In a tragic turn of events, more than 550 pilgrims have died during this year’s Hajj in Mecca, as temperatures soared above 50°C (122°F). The extreme heat has underscored the harsh and grueling conditions of the pilgrimage.
Heat-Related Deaths
According to two Arab diplomats coordinating their countries’ responses, at least 323 Egyptians succumbed to heat-related illnesses. One diplomat mentioned that these deaths were primarily due to heat, except for one individual who died from injuries sustained in a minor crowd crush. The morgue in the Al-Muaisem neighborhood of Mecca reported 550 deaths.
Jordan has reported at least 60 deaths among its pilgrims, up from an earlier official tally of 41. These new figures bring the total reported deaths to 577, based on an AFP tally from multiple countries.
Response and Medical Aid
Egypt’s foreign ministry has stated that it is collaborating with Saudi authorities in search operations for Egyptians who went missing during the Hajj. The ministry acknowledged “a certain number of deaths” without specifying whether Egyptians were included.
Saudi authorities have reported treating over 2,000 pilgrims for heat stress but have not updated this figure since Sunday, nor provided specific details on fatalities. Last year, at least 240 pilgrims, mostly Indonesians, were reported dead during the Hajj.
Increasing Climate Challenges
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, requires all Muslims with the means to complete it at least once. However, the pilgrimage is increasingly affected by climate change. A recent Saudi study revealed that temperatures in the Hajj area are rising by 0.4°C per decade. On Monday, temperatures at the Grand Mosque in Mecca reached a staggering 51.8°C.
Safety Measures
Despite Saudi officials advising pilgrims to use umbrellas, drink plenty of water, and avoid sun exposure during peak hours, many rituals require prolonged outdoor presence. AFP journalists observed pilgrims pouring water over their heads, with volunteers distributing cold drinks and fast-melting ice cream to help them cool down.
Overwhelmed Services
Pilgrims described seeing motionless bodies along the roadsides and ambulance services appearing overwhelmed. About 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the Hajj this year, with 1.6 million coming from abroad. Tens of thousands attempt the Hajj without securing official visas, which prevents them from accessing air-conditioned facilities provided by Saudi authorities.
Efforts to Clear Unregistered Pilgrims
Saudi officials had cleared hundreds of thousands of unregistered pilgrims from Mecca before the Hajj. One diplomat noted that the Egyptian death toll was significantly increased by a large number of unregistered Egyptian pilgrims.
Deaths from Other Countries
Other countries reporting deaths during this year’s Hajj include Indonesia, Iran, and Senegal. However, most countries have not specified the number of heat-related deaths.
Official Statements
Saudi Arabia takes pride in hosting the Hajj, with King Salman holding the title “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.” Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jalajel stated that health plans for the Hajj had been successfully carried out, preventing major disease outbreaks and other public health threats. A virtual hospital provided consultations to over 5,800 pilgrims, primarily for heat-related illnesses, enabling prompt intervention and mitigating potential surges in cases.
The extreme heat conditions and resulting fatalities have highlighted the growing challenges of hosting the Hajj amid rising global temperatures, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures and infrastructure to protect pilgrims.
US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and a long-time ally, as his pick for education secretary. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity doctor and former TV host, has been chosen to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
McMahon, who led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, is known for her close ties to the president-elect. She has limited experience in education but has served on Connecticut’s state board of education and currently chairs the pro-Trump America First Policy Institute. Trump has tasked her with advancing his controversial plan to dismantle the Department of Education and return educational oversight to the states.
On Truth Social, Trump praised McMahon, highlighting her advocacy for parental rights and her commitment to decentralizing federal control over education. With a Republican-majority Senate, her confirmation is expected to proceed smoothly.
Dr. Oz’s appointment to CMS marks another headline-grabbing selection. Known for his television career and health advice, Oz’s approach has faced scrutiny from medical professionals in the past. His role will involve overseeing critical federal healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, which serve millions of Americans.
Trump also announced Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, as his pick for commerce secretary, underscoring a pattern of selecting loyal allies and high-profile figures for his administration.
Jimmy Lai, the 76-year-old pro-democracy advocate and founder of Hong Kong’s now-shuttered Apple Daily, has denied allegations of collusion with foreign forces during his first testimony in a national security trial that could result in a life sentence.
Facing accusations tied to his foreign contacts, including former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Taiwan’s ex-President Tsai Ing-wen, Lai firmly stated in court on Wednesday, “Never.”
Dressed in a brown jacket and glasses, Lai appeared in good spirits despite visibly losing weight since his arrest. Smiling and waving to supporters outside the courtroom, he received warm encouragement from dozens of well-wishers who queued to show their solidarity.
When questioned about his interactions with international figures, Lai said his meetings were purely informational. Regarding a meeting with Pence, Lai stated, “I would just relay to him what happened in Hong Kong when he asked me.” As for then U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, he explained that he asked Pompeo “not to do something but to say something, to voice support for Hong Kong.”
Lai is already serving multiple sentences for his alleged role in the 2019 pro-democracy protests that prompted Beijing to implement the sweeping National Security Law (NSL). His trial follows the sentencing of 45 activists from the “Hong Kong 47” group earlier this week, including prominent figures Benny Tai and Joshua Wong.
New York prosecutors have indicated they will oppose efforts by President-elect Donald Trump to overturn his criminal conviction but are open to deferring his sentencing until the end of his upcoming presidential term in 2029.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office filed a motion urging Justice Juan Merchan to consider postponing Trump’s sentencing, currently set for November 26, while rejecting any dismissal of the conviction. Prosecutors suggested deferring the proceedings to balance constitutional concerns surrounding the conviction of a sitting president.
Trump was found guilty in May of falsifying business records in connection with alleged attempts to conceal a potential sex scandal during his 2016 presidential campaign. The case, the only one of four criminal prosecutions against Trump to reach a guilty verdict, has become a legal flashpoint as he prepares for his second term in the White House.
Trump’s legal team argues for the conviction’s dismissal, citing presidential immunity following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that grants broad protections for official acts. Prosecutors countered that the charges are unrelated to presidential duties and predate the ruling.
Mitchell Epner, a former prosecutor, commented that the DA’s proposal essentially “pauses the case until after Trump leaves office,” emphasizing that it avoids dismissal while addressing constitutional concerns.
If accepted, this proposal could delay Trump’s sentencing until after January 20, 2029, when his presidential term concludes. Legal experts, including former Manhattan prosecutor Diana Florence, anticipate that the November hearing will likely be rescheduled.
Potential sentences range from fines and probation to a maximum of four years in prison. However, with Trump’s impending inauguration and constitutional questions at play, the prospect of any immediate legal repercussions remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung declared the situation a “total and definitive victory,” although Justice Merchan has yet to issue a ruling on the matter.
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