An unprecedented heat wave killed 14 Jordanians during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to the foreign ministry.
Jordan’s foreign ministry stated in a statement that the victims died after “suffering sunstroke due to the extreme heat wave.” It said that 17 people have been reported missing.
Jordanian officials said the hunt for the missing people was ongoing. The foreign ministry stated that it was working with Saudi officials on protocols for burying or transporting the corpses of the deceased in accordance with their families’ wishes.
The Iranian Red Crescent verified the deaths of five Iranian pilgrims, however the cause of death was not specified (AFP news agency).
The AFP news agency did not say how they died. According to Saudi officials, more over 1.8 million pilgrims will participate in this year’s hajj.
The Hajj, a religious requirement for all Muslims, is one of the world’s largest public gatherings. It is one of Islam’s five pillars, with five daily prayers, fasting, charity, and faith in God and Muhammad as prophet.
Hajj has a history of terrible tragedies, like as stampedes and tent fires. However, in most years, the primary issue is extreme heat.
This week, temperatures hit 46 degrees Celsius (114.8 degrees Fahrenheit), making many outdoor and on-foot routines difficult, particularly for the elderly. Ayman Ghulam, the chief of the Saudi National Meteorology Centre, issued a warning last week about the expected climate shift during hajj.
“The expected climate for Hajj this year will witness an increase in average temperatures of 1.5 to 2 degrees [Celsius] above normal in Mecca and Medina,” added Ghulam. The trek would end on Wednesday.
Saudi officials stated they have established numerous climate-controlled zones as part of heat reduction efforts. They handed out water and instructed travelers on how to protect themselves from the sun. The Saudi health ministry also issued an advisory, urging pilgrims to remain hydrated and avoid being outside between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the hottest hours of the day. Approximately 240 people died last year.
