Officials have reported that at least 14 Jordanian pilgrims have died during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia due to the extreme heat.
The Jordanian foreign ministry confirmed that these individuals died “after suffering sunstroke due to the extreme heat wave.”
Additionally, 17 more Jordanians have been reported missing.
The Iranian Red Crescent, according to AFP news agency, noted that five Iranian pilgrims had also passed away, though the exact cause of their deaths was not specified.
Jordanian authorities continue their search for the missing pilgrims and are coordinating with Saudi officials regarding the burial or repatriation of the deceased, in line with their families’ wishes.
Hajj, one of the largest annual mass gatherings, has drawn over 1.8 million participants this year, as per Saudi officials.
The event is known for its history of fatal incidents such as stampedes and fires, but the predominant challenge often remains the extreme heat.
This week, temperatures soared beyond 46°C (114.8°F), posing significant difficulties for the outdoor and physically demanding rituals, particularly for elderly pilgrims.
Ayman Ghulam, head of Saudi national meteorology centre, had warned, “The expected climate for Hajj this year will witness an increase in average temperatures of 1.5 to 2 degrees [Celsius] above normal in Mecca and Medina.”
These cities are central to the five-day pilgrimage.
A treatment center near Mount Arafat reported 225 cases of heat stress, as mentioned by the official Saudi Press Agency.
Neron Khan, a Canadian pilgrim, shared with AFP, “It’s physically gruelling, but it’s very spiritually charged.”
She described experiencing “some sort of heat exhaustion situation” during certain rituals.
The pilgrimage is set to conclude on Wednesday.
In response to the heat, Saudi officials have implemented various measures, including establishing climate-controlled areas, distributing water, and advising pilgrims on sun protection.
The Saudi health ministry has also issued guidance, urging pilgrims to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during the peak heat hours between 10:00 and 16:00.
In the previous year, at least 240 pilgrims died during Hajj.
The deadliest incident occurred in 2015, when a crush resulted in over 2,000 fatalities.
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