Amid the shimmering sands of Mecca, where the fervent pilgrimage to Hajj unfolds each year, tragedy has cast a stark shadow over this sacred journey. The scorching embrace of record-high temperatures has claimed the lives of 68 Indian pilgrims. The deaths occurred during the annual pilgrimage which saw extreme weather conditions, contributing to a total of over 900 fatalities among all pilgrims this year.Diplomatic statements on incidentA diplomat in Saudi Arabia, speaking anonymously to AFP, confirmed the death toll and indicated that the causes ranged from natural reasons to extreme heat. The diplomat highlighted the presence of many elderly pilgrims, who are particularly vulnerable in such harsh conditions. He also noted the recurring nature of such incidents during the Hajj, due to the large number of participants and the challenging environment.Search for missing pilgrimsFriends and family members have been desperately searching for the missing pilgrims. The surge in deaths, surpassing 900, has led to frantic searches in hospitals and pleas for information on social media. The sweltering heat, with temperatures reaching 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51.8 degrees Celsius), has made the situation even more dire.The Hajj this year attracted about 1.8 million people from around the world, including many elderly and infirm participants. Reports from various countries have confirmed deaths among their nationals, including Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, and Iraqs Kurdistan region. The rise in fatalities has been attributed mainly to the extreme heat, which has been progressively increasing each decade according to recent studies.Missing and unregistered pilgrimsMany missing individuals are believed to have attempted the pilgrimage without official permits, seeking to avoid the high costs. This practice has become more common since Saudi Arabia introduced a general tourism visa in 2019. The unregistered status of many pilgrims adds complexity to the search and rescue efforts.Response from Saudi authoritiesSaudi authorities have not released official information on the number of fatalities but have reported over 2,700 cases of heat exhaustion in a single day. Last year, more than 200 pilgrims died, mostly from Indonesia, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced during the Hajj.
