Over 550 Pilgrims Succumb to Heat During Mecca's Annual Haj

Muslims perform the Eid al-Adha morning prayer around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca

The annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the haj, has seen a devastating toll this year, with at least 550 visitors losing their lives due to scorching heat. Among the deceased, 323 were Egyptians, primarily succumbing to heat-related illnesses, as reported by Arab diplomats.

Over the past 30 years, various incidents such as stampedes, tent fires, and accidents have resulted in hundreds of deaths during the haj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. This year's pilgrimage commenced on Friday, with temperatures soaring to extreme levels.

Muslim pilgrims perform the farewell circumambulation or 'tawaf', circling seven times around the Kaaba

According to Saudi state TV, temperatures spiked to a staggering 125.2F (51.8C) in the shade at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on Monday. A recent study published in the Journal of Travel and Medicine highlighted that rising global temperatures may surpass existing strategies to combat the heat, while a 2019 study in Geophysical Research Letters warned of "extreme danger" due to climate change-induced temperature rises in arid regions like Saudi Arabia.

Reports from various countries have detailed the tragic toll on pilgrims during this year's haj. Tunisian news agency Tunis Afrique Presse confirmed the deaths of 35 Tunisian citizens, primarily due to extreme heat-related complications. Additionally, Jordanian pilgrims faced heat stroke fatalities, with at least six reported deaths.

Pilgrims pray around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca at the end of the annual haj

Iranian state news outlet IRINN revealed that 11 Iranians lost their lives during the pilgrimage, while 24 others were hospitalized. Reports from Senegal also indicated three deaths related to the haj. Indonesian health ministry data showed 144 deaths among Indonesian pilgrims, although the specific causes were not detailed.

The haj pilgrimage, a sacred duty for Muslims, attracts millions of participants annually to Mecca. Despite the challenging conditions, Saudi health authorities have treated over 2,700 pilgrims suffering from heat-related illnesses, emphasizing the importance of hydration and avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours.

The third day of Eid al-Adha in Mecca, Saudi Arabia