Death toll in Hajj pilgrimage rises to over 1,000, temperatures in Mecca over 38 °C

NEW DELHI: The death toll during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has risen to over 1,000 as the heatwave pushed temperatures in Mecca above 38°C. A total of 1,081 deaths were reported in around 10 countries during the annual pilgrimage. Earlier this week, temperatures in the holy city of Mecca reached a sweltering high of 57°C.

Several countries, including India, Egypt, Malaysia, Pakistan, Jordan, Indonesia, Iran, Senegal and Tunisia, have confirmed deaths.

Although Saudi Arabia has not released any details on the number of deaths, it reported more than 2,700 cases of “heat knot” on Sunday alone.

“People were tired after being chased by security forces before Arafat Day. They were exhausted,” an Arab diplomat told AFP on Thursday.

According to customs and agreements with the government of Saudi Arabia, the bodies of pilgrims who die during the pilgrimage are not returned to their hometown but are buried in Saudi Arabia.

“The bodies of Rukhsana and Ansari have been buried there by the authorities concerned and death certificates will also be given to their spouses,” S. Sarfaraz Khan, executive director of the Karnataka State Hajj Committee, told news agency PTI.

Despite Saudi authorities’ advice to use an umbrella, drink plenty of fluids and avoid the sun during the hottest hours, many Hajj rituals require pilgrims to spend extended periods of time outdoors during the day. Some pilgrims reported seeing motionless bodies on the side of the road and emergency services overwhelmed.

This year, about 1.8 million pilgrims took part in the Hajj, of which 1.6 million came from abroad. However, tens of thousands of pilgrims try to perform the Hajj without official visas every year to save money. This is more dangerous as they do not have access to the air-conditioned facilities provided by the Saudi authorities along the route.