The Hajj pilgrimage of 2024 has been marred by tragedy as more than 600 pilgrims, including 68 Indians, lost their lives, largely due to searing heat and intense weather conditions. The deaths occurred during rituals in and around Mecca, with some attributed to natural causes and old age exacerbated by the extreme temperatures.
Reports from anonymous sources indicated that 550 deaths were recorded during the Hajj, with an additional 95 fatalities confirmed by various countries including Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, and Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Last year, over 200 deaths were reported, mainly among Indonesian pilgrims.
According to officials, many Indian pilgrims are elderly and frail, often succumbing to health complications aggravated by the rigorous demands of the pilgrimage. At the Emergency Complex in Mecca’s Al-Muaisem neighborhood, officials managed over 600 bodies, maintaining strict security protocols while identifying and processing the deceased.
Saudi Arabia, which hosts the annual pilgrimage, has faced criticism for the harsh summer conditions during the Hajj, with temperatures in Mecca reaching as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius. The Saudi National Center for Meteorology reported extreme temperatures at the Grand Mosque and other sacred sites, leading to numerous cases of heat exhaustion and fainting among pilgrims.
The Hajj, a fundamental pillar of Islam requiring able Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime, drew over 1.83 million participants this year. Despite efforts to manage the pilgrimage’s challenges, including health and safety measures, the persistently rising temperatures pose ongoing concerns for future pilgrimages.
The tragic loss of life during this year’s Hajj underscores the need for enhanced precautions and resources to protect pilgrims from the unforgiving climate conditions in the holy city of Mecca.
