According to Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic sources, it has been confirmed that at least 550 pilgrims passed away during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage due to severe heat-related conditions, as reported by multiple media sources on Tuesday. On Monday, temperatures at Mecca’s Grand Mosque reached a scorching 51.8 degrees Celsius. The majority of those who died were Egyptian pilgrims, with approximately 60 Jordanians and 5 Iranians also among the fatalities.

577 Dead! Heatstroke Turns Hajj Pilgrimage Deadly: According to two Arab diplomats involved in coordinating their countries’ response, as reported by AFP, 323 out of the total deceased were Egyptian pilgrims, primarily due to heat-related illnesses. One diplomat mentioned that all of these Egyptians died due to heat, based on information obtained from the hospital morgue in Mecca’s Al-Muaisem neighborhood.

According to media reports, the number of deaths among Jordanian pilgrims has increased to 60, up from an earlier count of 41 reported by Amman. This brings the total estimated death toll across multiple countries to 577.

Contrary to these reports, Saudi Arabia’s health ministry denied significant heat-related deaths among this year’s pilgrims. Reuters quoted Jameel Abualenain, a health ministry official, explaining that the diversity of health conditions, pre-existing illnesses among pilgrims, and varying levels of adherence to medication contributed to the situation. He emphasized the presence of elderly pilgrims and those with different underlying health issues as factors influencing the overall health outcomes during Hajj.

A recent study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine from Saudi Arabia highlighted a gradual temperature increase of 0.4 degrees Celsius (0.72 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade in Hajj ritual areas, indicating the influence of climate change.

As temperatures soared above 50 degrees Celsius on Monday, Egypt’s foreign ministry confirmed cooperation with Saudi authorities in locating missing Egyptians but did not disclose casualty numbers.

Saudi officials reported treating over 2,000 pilgrims for heat-related stress, with no updates on the death toll since Sunday. Last year, various nations reported at least 240 deaths among pilgrims, mainly Indonesians.

According to AFP journalists, pilgrims were seen cooling themselves with water, while volunteers distributed cold beverages and ice cream to alleviate the heat. Saudi authorities advised pilgrims to use umbrellas, stay hydrated, and minimize sun exposure, despite the necessity of prolonged outdoor activities during many rituals.

Unregistered pilgrims, who lack access to air-conditioned facilities, face heightened risks during the Hajj pilgrimage. An Egyptian diplomat highlighted that these pilgrims contributed significantly to Egypt’s death toll this year, citing breakdowns in service at camps.

Approximately 1.8 million pilgrims participated in this year’s Hajj, with 1.6 million coming from abroad. The pilgrimage’s rituals often require prolonged outdoor activities, exposing pilgrims to extreme heat.

Earlier this month, Saudi authorities removed hundreds of thousands of unregistered pilgrims from Mecca. Countries like Indonesia, Iran, and Senegal reported deaths among their pilgrims, but many did not specify whether the deaths were due to heat-related causes.

Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jalajel reported successful health measures during the Hajj, including conducting over 5,800 virtual consultations for heat-related issues, as per the Saudi Press Agency.

Despite advisories for pilgrims to use umbrellas, stay hydrated, and avoid sun exposure during peak hours, the extreme heat has presented significant challenges.

Climate change is exacerbating these heat challenges during the Hajj, with May 2024 noted as the hottest May on record globally. Experts caution that increasing temperatures and shifting weather patterns will continue to pose substantial risks for future pilgrimages.