NEW DELHI: At least 19 pilgrims from Jordan and Iran have died while attending the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to statements made by authorities from both countries.
The Jordanian foreign ministry announced that 14 of their pilgrims had died and 17 others were missing during the hajj rituals. The ministry later confirmed that the 14 pilgrims had passed away ‘after suffering sun stroke due to the extreme heat wave.’
Iranian Red Crescent chief Pirhossein Koolivand reported that ‘five Iranian pilgrims have lost their lives so far in Mecca and Medina during the hajj this year,’ without specifying the causes of their deaths.
The hajj is one of Islam’s five pillars and a duty that every Muslim with the means must undertake at least once.
This year, temperatures in Saudi Arabia have soared past 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) during the pilgrimage, which is being attended by approximately 1.8 million Muslims.
Many rituals are conducted outdoors and on foot, posing additional challenges, particularly for elderly pilgrims. However, the kingdom has implemented heat mitigation measures, including climate-controlled areas, water distribution, and guidance on sun protection for pilgrims.
Last year, at least 240 people, many from Indonesia, died during the hajj, according to figures announced by various countries, though the specific causes of death were not disclosed.
A Saudi official mentioned this week that over 10,000 heat-related illnesses were recorded last year, with 10 percent being cases of heat stroke.
A Saudi study indicated that regional temperatures are rising 0.4 degrees Celsius each decade, suggesting that worsening heat may be surpassing current mitigation efforts.
The Jordanian foreign ministry announced that 14 of their pilgrims had died and 17 others were missing during the hajj rituals. The ministry later confirmed that the 14 pilgrims had passed away ‘after suffering sun stroke due to the extreme heat wave.’
Iranian Red Crescent chief Pirhossein Koolivand reported that ‘five Iranian pilgrims have lost their lives so far in Mecca and Medina during the hajj this year,’ without specifying the causes of their deaths.
The hajj is one of Islam’s five pillars and a duty that every Muslim with the means must undertake at least once.
This year, temperatures in Saudi Arabia have soared past 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) during the pilgrimage, which is being attended by approximately 1.8 million Muslims.
Many rituals are conducted outdoors and on foot, posing additional challenges, particularly for elderly pilgrims. However, the kingdom has implemented heat mitigation measures, including climate-controlled areas, water distribution, and guidance on sun protection for pilgrims.
Last year, at least 240 people, many from Indonesia, died during the hajj, according to figures announced by various countries, though the specific causes of death were not disclosed.
A Saudi official mentioned this week that over 10,000 heat-related illnesses were recorded last year, with 10 percent being cases of heat stroke.
A Saudi study indicated that regional temperatures are rising 0.4 degrees Celsius each decade, suggesting that worsening heat may be surpassing current mitigation efforts.
