The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the world, with millions of Muslims traveling to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. However, the extreme heat posed a significant health risk to the pilgrims in the country. According to the latest information, over 550 pilgrims have lost their lives due to extreme heat at hajj.The streets of Saudi Arabia are filled with the corpses of Muslim pilgrims who died on their way to Mecca.Around 14 Jordanian citizens died from heatstroke and dehydration in +47°C heat while performing the Hajj. Numbers of deaths for other countries are not yet available. pic.twitter.com/pqkHxkpQQS— Olia (@OliaOnX) June 18, 2024As per Arab diplomats, 323 of those who died were Egyptians, and most of them were succumbing to heat-related problems. The Arab administration says that most of the people are falling ill due to heat, as per figures shared by the morgue of Al-Muaisam Hospital in Mecca.Among those who lost their lives were 60 Jordanians, which is quit high as compared to the numbers that were shared on Tuesday, which was 41.It is worth noting that Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims wish to complete it at least once in their life.Saudi Meteorological Center has said that on Monday the temperature in the Grand Mosque in Mecca reached 51.8 degrees Celsius. Such heat is beyond the tolerance of people. On Tuesday, Egypts Foreign Ministry claimed that Cairo is helping Saudi Arabian authorities to search for people missing during Hajj.How many people are undergoing treatmentAfter the figure of 550 deaths, Saudi Arabia has also given the figures of people suffering from heat. The government claims that more than 2000 people are undergoing treatment. Last year, a total of 240 people died in this season during the Hajj pilgrimage.Key points to consider:Heat Risks: Temperatures nearing 52 degrees Celsius are extraordinarily dangerous, leading to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration. These conditions can be fatal, particularly for the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.Preparedness and Safety Measures: The Saudi authorities usually take extensive measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims, including providing water, medical services, and shaded areas. However, such extreme temperatures can overwhelm even the best-prepared systems.This incident would likely lead to a global outcry and also prompt discussions on how climate change is exacerbating such extreme weather events.
