Over 500 dead from intense heat during hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, including 68 Indians

Around 68 Indians are among the many who have died during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca due to the extreme heat, a diplomat informed AFP. On Tuesday, AFP reported that at least 550 people have perished during the pilgrimage. Among these, 323 Egyptians succumbed to heat-related illnesses, according to two Arab diplomats cited by the international news agency.

Saudi media reported that temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius in the shade at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on Monday. Prior to these death reports, Saudi health officials had not observed any unusual fatalities among the pilgrims despite the extremely high temperatures, a health official told Reuters.

Also Read: Priyanka Gandhi’s first contest in elections from Wayanad

Heat Wave claims lives of pilgrims in Mecca: unofficial reports from various countries

While Saudi Arabia has not officially released the number of deaths, several countries, including Jordan and Tunisia, have reported fatalities among their pilgrims due to the intense heat in Mecca, according to an AP report. Security was tight at the medical complex in Mecca, where an official announced the names and nationalities of the deceased, which included individuals from Algeria, Egypt, and India. Only those claiming to be relatives of the dead were allowed entry into the complex. The AP report also mentioned that some people fainted during the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual.

Also Read: Unlocking the Secrets of Almonds for Memory Enhancement

Millions of Muslims complete annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca

The annual Hajj pilgrimage began on Friday, attracting millions of Muslims to Mecca to perform religious rites established by the Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. This mass gathering, a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for able-bodied Muslims, concluded on Wednesday.

Each year, thousands of pilgrims from low-income countries travel to Mecca, many of whom have received minimal or no pre-Hajj healthcare, according to an article in the April edition of the Journal of Infection and Public Health. The paper noted that communicable diseases can spread among the pilgrims, who are often elderly, have pre-existing health conditions, and have used their life savings to make the pilgrimage.

Also Read: Bihar: Newly constructed bridge in Araria collapses ahead of inauguration