Saudi Arabia announced that over 1,300 individuals died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. Extreme heat was a primary factor in the hundreds of deaths and injuries.
Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that over 1,300 individuals died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, with a significant number of fatalities attributed to heat stress and unauthorized pilgrimages accounting for over 80% of the deaths.
“The health system handled numerous cases of heat stress this year, with some individuals still receiving care. Sadly, the death toll reached 1,301,” the Saudi government stated, releasing its first official figures.
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The statement highlighted that 83% of the deceased were “unauthorized to perform Hajj” and had “walked long distances under direct sunlight without adequate shelter or comfort.” Among the dead were several elderly and chronically ill individuals, and all families of the deceased have been identified.
Extreme heat was a primary factor in the hundreds of deaths and injuries reported during the Hajj. Mecca, the central city for Hajj pilgrims, experienced record-breaking temperatures of 125 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday. The problems were further exacerbated by the number of unofficial pilgrimages.
Saudi Arabia mandates that each pilgrim acquire one of the 1.8 million available licenses to legally enter Mecca. These licenses can cost several thousand US dollars. Unlicensed pilgrims often travel without organized tour buses, air conditioning, or easy access to water and food.
The Saudi government suggested that the unauthorized nature of many trips delayed the official death toll as it complicated the identification process.
“Despite the initial lack of personal information or identification documents, identification was completed. Proper processes were followed for identification, burial, and honoring the deceased, with death certificates provided,” the statement noted.
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Some pilgrims have criticized the poor infrastructure and organization of this year’s Hajj. Even those on official tours spent much of their day walking in the scorching heat. Witnesses reported seeing worshipers losing consciousness and passing by bodies covered in white cloth.
Following the announcement from Saudi Arabia, the Egyptian government pledged to revoke the licenses of 16 Hajj tourism companies involved in facilitating illegal pilgrimages to Mecca. The managers of these companies will be referred to the public prosecutor amid fears that hundreds of Egyptians are among the deceased.
The decision was made during a cabinet meeting on Saturday after a report highlighted the dubious operations of some tourism companies. While the official toll among Egyptians is 31, reports from Reuters and other outlets suggest that 500 to 600 Egyptians may have died during the pilgrimage.
The report, reviewed by the cabinet, accused some operators of failing to issue correct visas, forcing holders to enter Mecca “through desert paths on foot.” It also criticized the companies for not providing proper accommodation, leaving tourists exposed to the heat.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly expressed his “sincere condolences and sympathy” to the families of the deceased pilgrims, committing to providing them with the necessary support.
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Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system, and Saudi Arabia requires each pilgrim to obtain one of the 1.8 million available licenses to legally access Mecca. However, the high cost of these licenses drives many pilgrims to attempt illegal access, typically without organized tours, air conditioning, or adequate water and food supplies.
This year’s Hajj coincided with extreme temperatures due to the Islamic lunar calendar, with pilgrims enduring up to 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).
Ahmed, a 44-year-old pilgrim from Indonesia, recounted seeing many people falling ill and dying from the heat. “Along the way home, I saw many pilgrims who died. Almost every few hundred meters, there was a body lying and covered with an ihrom [white fabric] cloth.”
He added that water distribution points were quickly overwhelmed by pilgrims, and he did not see health workers or ambulances along the route.
During the pilgrimage, the faithful perform a series of rituals in and around Mecca, often involving many hours of walking in the intense heat each day.
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The exact number of deaths during this year’s Hajj may still rise, as governments only have records for pilgrims who registered and traveled to Mecca as part of their country’s quota.