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.