Dozens of individuals have died amid scorching temperatures in the course of the annual hajj pilgrimage to the holy metropolis of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, in line with stories from official media across the Center East and Africa.
With forecasts saying that temperatures would high 113 levels Fahrenheit, or 45 levels Celsius, on Tuesday, Saudi officers issued advisories to pilgrims urging them to remain hydrated, decrease outside actions, and carry umbrellas to dam direct daylight.
Whereas Saudi Arabia had not reported deaths, information stories from numerous international locations whose devoted went to the hajj urged that the warmth had confirmed lethal.
On Sunday, Jordan’s official information agency mentioned that 14 pilgrims had died from publicity to excessive solar and warmth. On Wednesday, the company mentioned that burial permits had been issued for 41 Jordanian pilgrims in Mecca, however didn’t present particulars on the causes of demise.
Tunisia’s International Ministry mentioned at the very least 35 Tunisians had died, the state-run Agence Tunis Afrique Presse reported on Tuesday, noting the “sharp rise in temperatures” and “scorching solar” that had accompanied the hajj.
Three pilgrims from Senegal additionally died, in line with a press release from the nation’s International Ministry, with out citing a reason for demise. And Egypt’s International Ministry mentioned consular employees in Saudi Arabia had been working “across the clock” to assist facilitate burials and searches for lacking Egyptian pilgrims, with out giving an quantity.
Saudi ministries didn’t instantly reply to questions concerning the stories of deaths.
Muslims journey to Mecca from all over the world every year to carry out the five-day pilgrimage, which ends Wednesday. The hajj is likely one of the 5 pillars of Islam — and all Muslims who’re financially and bodily in a position should carry out the ritual at the very least as soon as of their lives.
Greater than 1.8 million folks made the pilgrimage this 12 months, in line with the Saudi Common Authority for Statistics — with 1.6 million coming from overseas.
Many pilgrims, who are sometimes older, have additionally skilled warmth stress in current years, with scores dying from the warmth.
On Tuesday, Saudi officers billed this 12 months’s hajj season a “success,” with state media reporting that the well being minister, Fahd al-Jalajel expressing “specific satisfaction with the very fact that there have been no outbreaks or different public well being threats regardless of the numerous variety of pilgrims and the challenges posed by excessive temperatures.”
The authorities additionally cited “superior cooling methods” and the “constant availability” of water for pilgrims for making certain a “clean and safe hajj for all.”
Hwaida Saad contributed reporting.
