Fearing the worst after hundreds of pilgrims died during the annual ceremonies in Saudi Arabia, friends and family of missing hajj pilgrims have been scouring hospitals and appealing online for updates.According to the recent updates by Arab diplomats while speaking to AFP, the bulk of the pilgrims who died this year, did so because of heat-related diseases, as Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, had temperatures as high as 51.8C (125F).Some very tragic news is emerging from the Middle East. Mecca recorded +51.8°C according to Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦National Meteorology Service on Monday.More than 550 hajj pilgrims have died from the heat in Mecca as record temperatures exceed 50°C. pic.twitter.com/kQ2KzjqN7L— Scott Duncan (@ScottDuncanWX) June 19, 2024As per data shared by the authorised agencies and published by different nations indicates that 922 persons have been declared killed overall. The pilgrimage was attended by about 1.8 million people. The burning Sun and relentless weather in Mecca and around the city has been suffocating for people, according to the Saudi National Centre of Metrology. Social media platforms have been flooded with pictures showing heart-wrenching scenes from Mecca and surrounding places.According to experts, the maximum number of people who are ailing from heatwave are from Egypt. This may be due to temperature differences in both the regions. Meanwhile, the Saudi government has said that it has treated more than 2,700 people for heatstroke so far. While the number of deaths was low last year, it has crossed the mark this year amid particularly high temperatures.It is worth noting that the Hajj season changes every year according to the Islamic calendar and this year it fell in June, which is considered one of the hottest months in the region. Meanwhile, the Hajj pilgrim officials have asked people to take precautions amid harsh weather conditions. Apart from this, the Saudi administration has deployed more than 1,600 army personnel with medical units specifically for heatstroke and 30 rapid response teams to assist people. In addition to this, 5,000 health and first aid volunteers are taking part.
