Hajj 2024: Over 1,300 persons died of heatstroke and ‘fraudulent’ trips during Hajj pilgrimage
Hajj 2024: As many as 1,301 people died during the Hajj pilgrimage, with "numerous cases" due to heat stress and "fraudulent" trips which accounted for more than 80% of the fatalities.
In an official statement, the Saudi government explained, "This year, the health system managed numerous cases of heat stress, with some individuals still receiving medical attention. Unfortunately, the death toll reached 1,301."
As per the media report, 83 per cent of those who died were "fraudulent" to perform Hajj" and "walked long distances under direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort." It said that the deceased people included "several elderly and chronically ill individuals," adding that the families of all the dead had now been identified.
Extreme heat has been identified as the primary cause of hundreds of deaths and injuries during this year's Hajj pilgrimage. On Monday, temperatures in Mecca soared to a record-breaking 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Authorities have noted that the problems were exacerbated by the number of unofficial pilgrimages.
Saudi Arabia mandates that each pilgrim obtain one of the 1.8 million available licences to legally enter Mecca, the holy city essential for Hajj pilgrims. These licences can cost several thousand US dollars. Typically, unlicensed pilgrims do not travel in organised tour buses with air conditioning or easy access to water and food supplies.
The Saudi government implied that the high number of fraudulent trips contributed to the delay in releasing an official death toll, as it complicated the identification process.
Some pilgrims have criticised the poor infrastructure and organisation of this year's Hajj pilgrimage. Pilgrims who were on official tours also spent the bulk of their day walking outdoors in the scorching heat.
Saudi Arabia's announcement comes as the Egyptian government pledged to revoke the licenses of 16 Hajj tourism firms involved in making illegal pilgrimages to Mecca and refer the company's managers to the public prosecutor amid fears hundreds of Egyptians are among the deceased people.
Notably, the timing of the Hajj pilgrimage, based on the Islamic lunar calendar, fell during Saudi Arabia's extreme summer heat in 2024. Pilgrims faced temperatures reaching up to 49 degrees Celsius.
During the Hajj, pilgrims engage in various rituals in and around Mecca, often requiring many hours of walking daily in the intense heat. The total number of deaths this year could still rise, as governments only have information about pilgrims who registered and traveled to Mecca as part of their nation's quota.
- With inputs from agencies
