Dozens of individuals have died amid scorching temperatures throughout the annual hajj pilgrimage to the holy metropolis of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, in line with stories from official media across the Center East and Africa.
With forecasts saying that temperatures would prime 113 levels Fahrenheit, or 45 levels Celsius, on Tuesday, Saudi officers issued advisories to pilgrims urging them to remain hydrated, decrease outside actions, and carry umbrellas to dam direct daylight.
Whereas Saudi Arabia had not reported deaths, information stories from a variety of international locations whose devoted went to the hajj urged that the warmth had confirmed lethal.
On Sunday, Jordan’s official information company mentioned that 14 pilgrims had died from publicity to excessive solar and warmth. On Wednesday, the company mentioned that burial permits had been issued for 41 Jordanian pilgrims in Mecca, however didn’t present particulars on the causes of demise.
Tunisia’s Overseas Ministry mentioned not less than 35 Tunisians had died, the state-run Agence Tunis Afrique Presse reported on Tuesday, noting the “sharp rise in temperatures” and “scorching solar” that had accompanied the hajj.
Three pilgrims from Senegal additionally died, in line with a press release from the nation’s Overseas Ministry, with out citing a reason for demise. And Egypt’s Overseas Ministry mentioned consular workers in Saudi Arabia have been working “across the clock” to assist facilitate burials and searches for lacking Egyptian pilgrims, with out giving an quantity.
Saudi ministries didn’t instantly reply to questions in regards to the stories of deaths.
Muslims journey to Mecca from all over the world every year to carry out the five-day pilgrimage, which ends Wednesday. The hajj is likely one of the 5 pillars of Islam — and all Muslims who’re financially and bodily in a position should carry out the ritual not less than as soon as of their lives.
Greater than 1.8 million folks made the pilgrimage this yr, in line with the Saudi Common Authority for Statistics — with 1.6 million coming from overseas.
Many pilgrims, who are sometimes older, have additionally skilled warmth stress in recent times, with scores dying from the warmth.
On Tuesday, Saudi officers billed this yr’s hajj season a “success,” with state media reporting that the well being minister, Fahd al-Jalajel expressing “specific satisfaction with the actual fact that there have been no outbreaks or different public well being threats regardless of the numerous variety of pilgrims and the challenges posed by excessive temperatures.”
The authorities additionally cited “superior cooling methods” and the “constant availability” of water for pilgrims for making certain a “easy and safe hajj for all.”
Hwaida Saad contributed reporting.
