Saudi Arabia has reported that more than 1301 individuals died on this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, with “numerous cases” attributed to heat stress and “unauthorised” travels accounting for a large proportion of the deaths.
“The health system addressed numerous cases of heat stress this year, with some individuals still under care. Regrettably, the number of mortalities reached 1301,” the Saudi government said in a statement on Sunday, June 23 as it released its first official figures.
The representative stated that 83% of those who died were “unauthorised to perform Hajj” and “walked long distances under direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort.”
There were “several elderly and chronically ill individuals” among the deceased, it claimed, adding that all of the dead’s families had already been located.
On Monday, temperatures in Mecca, the holy city at the centre of the Hajj pilgrimage, reached a record-breaking 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
To legally visit Mecca, Saudi Arabia requires each pilgrim to get one of the 1.8 million authorised licences.
These licences can cost several thousand dollars.
Unlicensed pilgrims rarely travel in organised tour buses with air conditioning or have easy access to water and food supplies.
The Saudi authorities also blamed the unauthorised nature of many of the excursions for the delay in issuing an official death toll.
“Identification completed, despite the initial lack of personal information or identification documents. Proper processes were followed for identification, burial, and honouring the deceased, with death certificates provided,” the statement said.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli