The recent Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia witnessed the deaths of over 1,300 individuals as pilgrims faced extreme heat, Saudi authorities reported on Sunday. The fatalities included many unauthorised pilgrims who travelled long distances to participate in the rituals.Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel disclosed that 83% of the 1,301 deaths were unauthorised pilgrims. These individuals, often lacking proper accommodations, braved soaring temperatures to partake in the pilgrimage around Mecca.Impact on PilgrimsAmong the dead, more than 660 were Egyptians, with only 31 being authorised pilgrims, according to Egyptian officials. In response, Egypt revoked the licences of 16 travel agencies that facilitated unauthorised pilgrimages. These agencies were accused of using improper visas and failing to provide adequate services, leaving many pilgrims stranded in the harsh conditions.The fatalities included 165 Indonesians, 98 Indians, and numerous pilgrims from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Malaysia. Two U.S. citizens were also reported dead. Several countries attributed the deaths to the extreme heat, which saw temperatures in Mecca and surrounding areas reach up to 49 degrees Celsius.Historical Context of Hajj TragediesTragedies during Hajj are not uncommon. The pilgrimage, which attracts millions annually, has a history of fatal stampedes and accidents. The deadliest incident occurred in 2015, when a stampede in Mina claimed over 2,400 lives. This years death toll is unusually high, indicating exceptional circumstances exacerbated by the intense heat.The ongoing climate crisis poses significant risks for future Hajj pilgrimages. A 2019 study by MIT experts predicted that, even with successful climate change mitigation, temperatures during Hajj would exceed dangerous thresholds in the coming decades. The Islamic lunar calendar means the Hajj date shifts annually, with cooler periods anticipated in the near future as the pilgrimage moves to winter months by 2029.Massive Efforts for SafetySaudi Arabia has invested heavily in crowd control and safety measures, spending billions to ensure the well-being of pilgrims. Despite these efforts, the sheer number of participants and escalating climate conditions present substantial challenges.The 2024 Hajj, attended by over 1.83 million Muslims, highlighted the severe impact of extreme weather on large religious gatherings. As temperatures rise and climate change progresses, ensuring the safety of pilgrims will require even more significant measures and international cooperation.
