Intolerable Heat: Over 900 fatalities reported amid the Muslim pilgrimage, Hajj

Intolerable Heat: Over 900 fatalities reported amid the Muslim pilgrimage, Hajj

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"A bloody toll from the heat." That's what an Arab diplomat announced, implying at least 600 deaths reported in Egypt alone. Moreover, around 800 Egyptians are still unaccounted for.

Several countries, including Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Tunisia, Indonesia, and Senegal, have reported pilgrim fatalities in recent days. Adding to the toll, an Asian diplomat mentioned approximately 68 Indian pilgrims who have died. As per reports, this year, a staggering 922 people have lost their lives during the Hajj. Last year, the death toll stood at over 200, mostly Indonesians.

Mabrouka bint Salem Shoushana, a 70-year-old Tunisian, has been missing since the pilgrims climbed the mountain of Arafat on Saturday as per her husband Mohammed, who spoke to AFP. Since she didn't have an official permit for the pilgrimage, she couldn't access air-conditioned rest areas after hours of praying in the scorching sun. The search in hospitals hasn't turned up any leads so far.

Another 70-year-old Egyptian pilgrim, Huria Sharif, was reported missing after the prayer on the mountain of Arafat. "We've knocked on every door but haven't found her yet," a friend of the pilgrim explained.

Ghada Mahmud Ahmed Dawood, an Egyptian pilgrim, is also among the missing. Her daughter contacted a friend of the family in Saudi Arabia and requested help in the search via Facebook, according to the friend. "We haven't found her on the list of the dead, which gives us hope that she might still be alive."

Distraught families of pilgrims are scouring online networks for information, posting numerous photos of missing Hajj participants. The search for the missing is complicated by the fact that many believers participate in the pilgrimage without the official Saudi Arabian authorities' permit and, consequently, are not registered by them.

The Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia's Mecca city is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and it's a mandatory religious duty for every financially able Muslim to make this journey at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage timing is set by the Islamic calendar and has often coincided with periods of intense heat in recent years. According to official numbers, 1.8 million pilgrims participated this year, including 1.6 million females and foreign pilgrims.

Many rituals are performed outdoors and on foot, posing a considerable challenge for the elderly. According to Saudi Arabian authorities, over 2,700 heat-related illnesses were recorded on Sunday alone. However, no official statements were made regarding the fatalities caused by the extreme temperatures.

A study published in May predicted that weather conditions during the Hajj would become increasingly challenging due to global warming. The study suggests that the average temperature during the pilgrimage rises by 0.4 degrees every decade.

Read also:

1. Despite the unbearable heat, thousands still embark on the Muslim pilgrimage known as the Hajj, including individuals from Egypt, Iraq, and Tunisia.
2. The deadly consequences of the treacherous journey have already claimed the lives of over 900 people in this year's event.
3. Reportedly, around 800 Egyptian pilgrims remain missing, adding to the concern among families and authorities worldwide.
4. According to AFP, Mabrouka bint Salem Shoushana, a 70-year-old Tunisian woman, was last seen during the climb of Mount Arafat, one of the key locations in the pilgrimage.
5. Similarly, Ghada Mahmud Ahmed Dawood, a female Egyptian pilgrim, is also listed among the missing, with her family and friends launching an extensive search across Saudi Arabia.
6. The situation has prompted distressed families to take to social media platforms, sharing countless photos and pleas for information, as the search for missing pilgrims becomes increasingly difficult.
7. The Islamic tradition recognizes the annual Hajj as one of its Five Pillars, designating it as a mandatory religious duty for financially stable Muslims.
8. Over 2 million pilgrims, including 1.8 million females and a significant number of foreigners, braved the extreme heat this year, with Saudi Arabian officials reporting over 2,700 heat-related illnesses on Sunday alone.
9. A recent study published in May highlights the growing concern for the safety of pilgrims, predicting that climate change will continue to intensify the heat experienced during the Hajj, leading to a steadily increasing risk of heat-related fatalities.

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