Reasons Contributing To The High Death Toll During Hajj This Year (image@MoHU_En)

Over 2 million Muslims across the globe reached Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the sweltering heat. Reportedly, hundreds have died during the pilgrimage due to the extreme heat wave in the country which soared past 51 degree Celsius.

According to news agency AFP, an Arab diplomat said 658 Egyptians died. Indonesia said over 200 citizens had died. India said 98 individuals were known to have died during Hajj. Other countries like Pakistan, Malaysia, Jordan, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, Sudan and Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region have also confirmed deaths. Wall Street Journal reported that a number of Americans had also died.

Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk (Here I am, O Allah, Here I am), with outstretched necks and hearts united in the declaration of Allah’s oneness#No_Hajj_without_a_permit#Hajj_1445H#Ease_and_Tranquili pic.twitter.com/e5QLdOasbf

— Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) June 15, 2024

Friends and families are searching for the missing ones in hospitals and by posting messages online.

Read also: Scorching Heat: Over 550 Pilgrims Die During Hajj In Mecca

Notably, more than half of those who died were unregistered pilgrims who joined the holy ritual through irregular channels, making it difficult for them to have access to cooling facilities like air conditioned tents and buses, said AFP.

Jordan said it had detained several travel agents who facilitated the unregistered travel to Mecca for those desired to perform the Hajj. Cairo is also conducting similar investigation.

Hajj is the annual pilgrimage of the Muslims, one of the five pillars of Islam. It is mandatory for all Muslims, who are financially and physically fit to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.

Saudi has recently increased safety measures during Hajj, but still faces criticism for not doing enough, especially for the unregistered pilgrims. Riyadh is yet to comment on the deaths.

Contributing Factors Of The High Death Toll

Unfamiliar and extreme heat wave:

The unprecedented heat wave is believed to be one of the major reasons for the high death toll. Though the Saudi Health Ministry has warned to avoid heat exposure, several pilgrims fell victim of the heat stroke.

The pilgrims are exposed to unfamiliar heat wave. The vast open space and strenuous activity also constitute to the stress.

Heat-related death during Hajj is not a new thing. It has been happening since its beginning in the 1400s. Scientists said that the global warming is playing a key role in the high death toll.

Read Also: Amidst Brutal War In Gaza, More Than 1.5 Million Muslims Start Hajj Pilgrimage

“The Hajj has operated in a hot climate for over a millennium, but the climate crisis is exacerbating these conditions,” said Carl-Friedrich Schleussner of Climate Analytics, as quoted by Reuters.

Schleussne’s research suggests that with a 1.5C rise in global temperatures above pre-industrial levels, the risk of heatstroke during Hajj could increase up to five times.

Sanitation issues and overcrowding:

Mismanagement by Saudi authorities exacerbated the extreme conditions, leading to a crisis in many areas designated for pilgrims, BBC reported.

Pilgrims said accommodation and facilities were poorly managed, with overcrowded tents lacking adequate cooling and sanitation facilities. “There were no air conditioners in our tents in the heat of Mecca. The coolers that were installed did not have water most of the time,” BBC quoted a pilgrim from Islamabad.

At the same time, Saudi Health Ministry said they included 189 hospitals, health centres and mobile clinics with a combined capacity of more than 6,500 beds, and over 40,000 medical, technical, administrative staff and volunteers to take care of the pilgrimage.

Poor transportation facility:

Reportedly, the pilgrims were often forced to walk long distance in the extreme heat. Muhammad Acha, a Hajj organizer for a private group told BBC that, during the summer, a typical pilgrim may have to walk at least 15 kilometers per day.

“This is my 18th Hajj, and in my experience, the Saudi controllers are not facilitators. They control, but they don’t help…If there is an emergency on this route, no one will reach you for 30 minutes. There are no arrangements to save lives, nor are there water points along these paths”, he said.

Undocumented pilgrims:

A special Hajj visa is required for Muslims to perform Hajj. However, some may try to go on the five-day pilgrimage without the proper documentation, despite Saudi officials attempts to crack down. Such pilgrims often avoid authorities, even when they need help.

One of the major reasons for the high death toll is believed to be this issue of “unofficial Hajj”. Authorities have blamed them for some of the overcrowding in tents.