The death toll during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage has exceeded 1,000. More than half of the deceased were unregistered pilgrims who died due to extreme heat in Saudi Arabia, according to reports.
The Hajj pilgrimage started on June 14 and by June 20, the death toll included 58 individuals from Egypt. Among them, 630 were unregistered pilgrims out of the total 658 deaths from Egypt.
In total, around 1,081 deaths have been reported from approximately 10 countries during this year's pilgrimage. Some of the deaths were due to natural causes, while others were attributed to the extreme weather conditions, including the high temperatures in Mecca.
The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, is mandatory for all Muslims with the means to complete it at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage's timing is determined by the lunar Islamic calendar, and this year it coincided with the extremely hot Saudi summer.
Temperatures at the Grand Mosque of Mecca soared to a maximum of 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit), exacerbating the already challenging conditions. A recent study indicated that temperatures in the area are steadily rising, posing risks to the increasing number of pilgrims, including those who attempt to perform the Hajj without official permits.
Unregistered pilgrims faced particular vulnerability to the heat as they lacked access to the air-conditioned spaces provided for authorized pilgrims. This year, despite efforts by Saudi authorities to clear unregistered pilgrims from Mecca, many still participated in the main rites, enduring the sweltering conditions and putting their lives at risk.
The primary cause of death among Egyptian pilgrims was the heat, which exacerbated pre-existing health issues. In addition to Egypt, fatalities have been reported from several other countries, although specific causes of death have not been detailed in many cases.
Friends and family members are desperately searching for missing pilgrims, checking hospitals and seeking information online in the midst of scorching temperatures and challenging conditions.