Hundreds of pilgrims performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, have died this year due to scorching temperatures, according to reports from foreign ministries and press agencies.
At least 550 fatalities were reported by diplomats to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday. Heatstroke is suspected to be a major contributing factor, with reports from Arab diplomats citing 323 deaths among Egyptian pilgrims alone. Reuters could not independently verify these figures.
The Hajj, one of the world’s largest mass gatherings, has a history of dangers beyond heat. Stampedes, tent fires, and other accidents have claimed hundreds of lives over the past three decades. This year’s pilgrimage began on Friday.
Saudi authorities have acknowledged the extreme heat, with state television reporting temperatures soaring to a sweltering 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.2 Fahrenheit) in the shade of Mecca’s Grand Mosque on Monday. Scientific studies warn this is a growing threat. A 2024 study published in the Journal of Travel and Medicine suggests rising global temperatures may outpace measures to keep pilgrims safe from the heat. Similarly, a 2019 study in Geophysical Research Letters predicts “extreme danger” for Hajj participants as temperatures rise in arid Saudi Arabia due to climate change.
The toll of the heat extends beyond official figures. Tunisian news agency Tunis Afrique Presse reported 35 deaths among their citizens on Tuesday, with family members on social media attributing many to the extreme heat. The search for missing relatives continues in Saudi hospitals.
Other countries have also confirmed fatalities. Jordan’s foreign ministry issued 41 burial permits for their citizens on Tuesday, with at least six confirmed deaths from heatstroke. Iran reported 11 deaths and 24 hospitalizations, while Senegal has confirmed three deaths. Indonesia reported 144 deaths among its citizens, although the cause remains unspecified.
The Hajj, a physically demanding pilgrimage, requires participants to perform religious rites under the scorching sun and amidst large crowds. A Saudi health official, speaking before the reports of mass casualties emerged, told Reuters on Monday that authorities hadn’t observed any unusual fatalities despite the high temperatures. However, he did acknowledge that over 2,700 pilgrims had received treatment for heat-related illnesses.
An Egyptian pilgrim interviewed on Sunday emphasized the strenuous nature of the Hajj. “It’s a difficult task,” he said. “You have to exert yourself and perform the rituals even in the heat and crowding.”
Saudi authorities have implemented measures to mitigate the dangers of heatstroke. Pilgrims are urged to stay hydrated, avoid peak sun hours between 11 am and 3 pm, and use umbrellas for shade.
With over 1.8 million participants expected this year, the Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for able-bodied Muslims with the financial means. The pilgrimage concludes on Wednesday.
