The Hajj is a major annual festival and the most important obligation in the life of a Muslim. The Hajj festival in 2024 has recorded a significant number of casualties, marking one of the most tragic occurrences in recent years.
Muslims praying at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during the Hajj pilgrimage. Photo credit: THX/TTXVN
According to the French news agency AFP, the Hajj for Muslims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, took place from June 14 to 19, 2024, attracting 1.8 million pilgrims. Amidst a severe heatwave affecting Asia this summer, the Saudi Ministry of Health reported at least 550 deaths and over 2,700 cases of heatstroke during the Hajj pilgrimage.
1.8 million pilgrims flock to the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia to participate in the Islamic Hajj.
Heatstroke patients receiving medical attention.
Children also accompany their parents to the Hajj in 2024.
According to Arab media, the temperature in the shaded area of the Grand Mosque in Mecca reached a scorching 51.8 degrees Celsius on June 17. Meanwhile, in the Mina Valley, about 8 km from Mecca, temperatures were also recorded at a high of 46 degrees Celsius. Mina is a crucial final destination in the Hajj pilgrimage. Despite pilgrims carrying umbrellas and misting systems in the mosque area, the severe heat in Mecca remained oppressive.
Among the 550 fatalities during the Hajj, there were 323 Egyptian citizens, 35 Tunisians, 11 Iranians, 144 Indonesians, and 3 Segal. However, officials from Iran and Indonesia did not specify whether the deaths of their citizens were due to heatstroke. A representative from the Saudi Ministry of Health stated that no unusual fatalities were detected during the Hajj despite the extreme temperatures. The Ministry has been treating 2,764 cases of heat exhaustion during the Hajj.
It is known that in 2024, temperatures in the Arabian desert have risen significantly due to climate change. Consequently, local authorities have issued warnings about the dangers of heatstroke for pilgrims. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pledged that the Saudi government will provide excellent services to ensure that pilgrims can safely visit the two holy sites: the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Mina Valley.
