At least 14 Jordanian Citizens Die During Hajj Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia Due to Intense Heat

The annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has been marred by tragedy, with at least 14 Jordanian citizens succumbing to the intense heat, and 17 others reported missing. The Jordanian foreign ministry confirmed that the deceased died from sunstroke due to the extreme heat wave, which has seen temperatures soar above 46C (114.8F) this week.

The Iranian Red Crescent also reported that five Iranian pilgrims had lost their lives, although the cause of their deaths was not specified. Jordanian officials are continuing to search for those missing, while coordinating with Saudi authorities to bury or transport the bodies of the deceased, according to the wishes of their families.

Hajj, one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, attracts over 1.8 million pilgrims annually. While it has a history of deadly catastrophes, including stampedes and tent fires, the main challenge this year has come from the intense heat. The rituals, which are performed outdoors and on foot, have proven particularly challenging for the elderly.

Why it Matters : The Hajj pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims, and the safety of pilgrims is of utmost importance. The Saudi government has taken measures to mitigate the heat, including setting up climate-controlled areas, distributing water, and offering advice to pilgrims on how to protect themselves from the sun. However, the sheer scale of the event and the extreme weather conditions have proven to be a significant challenge.

The head of Saudi national meteorology centre, Ayman Ghulam, had warned last week that temperatures would be 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius above normal in Mecca and Medina, the two cities at the heart of the pilgrimage. A treatment centre near Mount Arafat recorded 225 cases of heat stress, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Despite the challenges, pilgrims remain resolute in their devotion. A Canadian pilgrim, said, "It's physically gruelling, but it's very spiritually charged." She added that during some of the rituals, she was in "some sort of heat exhaustion situation."

The pilgrimage will end on Wednesday, and Saudi officials are urging pilgrims to stay hydrated and avoid being outdoors during the hottest hours of the day between 10:00 and 16:00.

Key Takeaways

• At least 14 Jordanian citizens have died, and 17 are missing, due to intense heat during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
• The Iranian Red Crescent reported that five Iranian pilgrims had lost their lives, although the cause of their deaths was not specified.
• Temperatures have exceeded 46C (114.8F) this week, making the outdoor rituals particularly challenging for the elderly.
• The Saudi government has taken measures to mitigate the heat, including setting up climate-controlled areas and distributing water.
• The Hajj pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims, and the safety of pilgrims is of utmost importance.

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