More than 1,300 pilgrims died during this year’s Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, facing soaring temperatures that reached up to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit). The Saudi authorities announced the toll on Sunday, revealing that most of the deceased were unauthorized pilgrims who lacked official permits and faced extreme heat without adequate shelter.
Saudi health minister Fahd Al-Jalajel reported that 83% of the 1,301 fatalities were among unauthorized pilgrims who had to walk long distances under the intense sun. Many suffered from chronic diseases or were elderly, exacerbating their vulnerability to the harsh conditions. The minister emphasized that the health system provided extensive medical services, including to those who were not officially registered for Haj.
Here is an FAQs on extreme heat wave during Haj in Saudi Arabia
What caused the high number of deaths during this year’s Haj?
The extreme heat in Saudi Arabia, with temperatures soaring as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius, played a significant role in the high number of fatalities. Many of the deceased were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances under the sun without adequate shelter or comfort. According to Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel, “deaths were caused by pilgrims walking long distances under direct sunlight without adequate shelter or comfort.”
How many people died, and who were they?
A total of 1,301 people died during this year’s Haj. Among the fatalities, 83% were unauthorized pilgrims. Notably, Egyptians accounted for 658 deaths, with 630 of them being unregistered pilgrims. Additionally, there were significant numbers of deaths among pilgrims from Indonesia, India, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Malaysia, and two U.S. citizens.
What measures did Saudi Arabia take to handle the situation?
Saudi authorities provided extensive medical services, including 465,000 specialized treatments. They also deployed over 1,600 personnel with medical units and 30 rapid response teams specifically for heatstroke, along with 5,000 health and first aid volunteers. However, many unauthorized pilgrims did not receive the necessary support, leading to tragic outcomes.
What was the reaction from other countries?
The Egyptian government took immediate action by revoking the licenses of 16 travel agencies that facilitated unauthorized pilgrimages and referred their managers to the public prosecutor. The agencies had organized Haj trips using visas that did not allow entry to Mecca, leaving many pilgrims stranded and vulnerable to the extreme heat.
What was the response from affected families?
The tragic loss affected many families worldwide, including Saida Wurie from the US, whose parents died during Haj. They had saved their entire lives for the pilgrimage, spending $23,000 on an all-inclusive package. In an interview to CNN, Wurie criticized the tour company for not providing proper transportation or credentials, which left her parents unprepared for the harsh conditions.
Wurie said that the tour operator failed to adequately equip her parents for their journey. She feels that the services provided by the company fell short of what was promised and did not align with the financial investment made by her parents. In her view, the tour operator had an obligation to ensure her parents were well-prepared for the trip, but ultimately did not fulfill this responsibility. “They saved their whole lives for this,” she lamented, expressing heartbreak over their unfulfilled dream and their untimely deaths due to heatstroke.
How has the Saudi government responded to criticism?
A senior Saudi official defended the state’s response, stating, “The state did not fail, but there was a misjudgment on the part of people who did not appreciate the risks.” The health minister also described the management of this year’s Haj as “successful,” despite the high death toll, highlighting the extensive medical services provided.
What historical context is there for deaths during Haj?
Deaths during Haj are not uncommon due to the large number of participants and the challenging conditions. In 2015, a stampede in Mina resulted in over 2,400 deaths, the deadliest incident in Haj’s history. Extreme heat has also been a recurring issue, with predictions indicating that future Haj pilgrimages will continue to face dangerously high temperatures due to climate change.
(With inputs from agencies)
Saudi health minister Fahd Al-Jalajel reported that 83% of the 1,301 fatalities were among unauthorized pilgrims who had to walk long distances under the intense sun. Many suffered from chronic diseases or were elderly, exacerbating their vulnerability to the harsh conditions. The minister emphasized that the health system provided extensive medical services, including to those who were not officially registered for Haj.
Here is an FAQs on extreme heat wave during Haj in Saudi Arabia
What caused the high number of deaths during this year’s Haj?
The extreme heat in Saudi Arabia, with temperatures soaring as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius, played a significant role in the high number of fatalities. Many of the deceased were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances under the sun without adequate shelter or comfort. According to Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel, “deaths were caused by pilgrims walking long distances under direct sunlight without adequate shelter or comfort.”
How many people died, and who were they?
A total of 1,301 people died during this year’s Haj. Among the fatalities, 83% were unauthorized pilgrims. Notably, Egyptians accounted for 658 deaths, with 630 of them being unregistered pilgrims. Additionally, there were significant numbers of deaths among pilgrims from Indonesia, India, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Malaysia, and two U.S. citizens.
What measures did Saudi Arabia take to handle the situation?
Saudi authorities provided extensive medical services, including 465,000 specialized treatments. They also deployed over 1,600 personnel with medical units and 30 rapid response teams specifically for heatstroke, along with 5,000 health and first aid volunteers. However, many unauthorized pilgrims did not receive the necessary support, leading to tragic outcomes.
What was the reaction from other countries?
The Egyptian government took immediate action by revoking the licenses of 16 travel agencies that facilitated unauthorized pilgrimages and referred their managers to the public prosecutor. The agencies had organized Haj trips using visas that did not allow entry to Mecca, leaving many pilgrims stranded and vulnerable to the extreme heat.
What was the response from affected families?
The tragic loss affected many families worldwide, including Saida Wurie from the US, whose parents died during Haj. They had saved their entire lives for the pilgrimage, spending $23,000 on an all-inclusive package. In an interview to CNN, Wurie criticized the tour company for not providing proper transportation or credentials, which left her parents unprepared for the harsh conditions.
Wurie said that the tour operator failed to adequately equip her parents for their journey. She feels that the services provided by the company fell short of what was promised and did not align with the financial investment made by her parents. In her view, the tour operator had an obligation to ensure her parents were well-prepared for the trip, but ultimately did not fulfill this responsibility. “They saved their whole lives for this,” she lamented, expressing heartbreak over their unfulfilled dream and their untimely deaths due to heatstroke.
How has the Saudi government responded to criticism?
A senior Saudi official defended the state’s response, stating, “The state did not fail, but there was a misjudgment on the part of people who did not appreciate the risks.” The health minister also described the management of this year’s Haj as “successful,” despite the high death toll, highlighting the extensive medical services provided.
What historical context is there for deaths during Haj?
Deaths during Haj are not uncommon due to the large number of participants and the challenging conditions. In 2015, a stampede in Mina resulted in over 2,400 deaths, the deadliest incident in Haj’s history. Extreme heat has also been a recurring issue, with predictions indicating that future Haj pilgrimages will continue to face dangerously high temperatures due to climate change.
(With inputs from agencies)
