Cairo, Egypt – Tragedy struck this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, with more than 1,000 lives lost due to extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom. Officials confirmed the distressing news, revealing that over half of the fatalities were individuals from Egypt.
In response to the heartbreaking loss, the Egyptian government took action by revoking the licenses of 16 travel agencies that facilitated the unauthorized travel of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Reports indicated that 31 authorized Egyptian pilgrims passed away during the Hajj due to chronic illnesses, while an additional 630 Egyptians lost their lives during the pilgrimage, many of whom were laid to rest in Saudi Arabia.
Despite Saudi Arabia remaining silent on the matter, countries such as Jordan and Tunisia attributed the deaths to the scorching heat experienced during the Hajj. Eyewitnesses observed pilgrims collapsing and fainting from the extreme temperatures, especially on the second and third days of the pilgrimage.
This year’s death toll during the Hajj was particularly alarming, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of pilgrims during the annual religious gathering. The pilgrimage’s history has been marred by deadly incidents, including stampedes and epidemics.
The significant number of casualties in 2024 echoes a tragic event in 2015 when a stampede in Mina claimed the lives of over 2,400 pilgrims, marking it as the deadliest incident in Hajj history. The pilgrimage has also been marred by other fatal occurrences, such as a crane collapse at Mecca’s Grand Mosque in the same year, which resulted in 111 deaths.
Temperatures during this year’s Hajj period soared to unprecedented levels, reaching between 46 to 49 degrees Celsius in Mecca and its surrounding sacred sites. Participants struggled to cope with the heat, with some even fainting while performing the symbolic ritual of stoning the devil.
The Hajj, a fundamental pillar of Islam and one of the largest religious gatherings globally, attracts millions of Muslims each year. Despite Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance crowd control and safety measures, the sheer volume of participants poses challenges in ensuring their well-being.
As concerns over climate change grow, experts warn that rising temperatures could pose an even greater risk to future Hajj pilgrims. A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggests that by the mid-21st century, temperatures during the Hajj could exceed extreme danger thresholds, emphasizing the urgent need for climate-conscious planning.
With the Hajj following a lunar calendar, changes in its timing may offer temporary relief from extreme temperatures in the coming years. By 2029, the pilgrimage is expected to shift to cooler seasons, providing pilgrims with respite from the sweltering conditions experienced in recent years.