Saudi Arabia Says 1,301 Died On Hajj This Year

Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that over 1,300 individuals died on this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, with “numerous cases” attributed to heat stress and “unauthorized” trips accounting for more than four out of five fatalities.

“This year, the health-care system dealt with countless cases of heat stress, and some people are still receiving treatment. Regrettably, the number of fatalities has reached 1,301,” the Saudi government said in a statement as it revealed its first official data.

According to the statement, 83% of those who died were “unauthorized to perform Hajj” and had “walked long distances under direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort.” There were “several elderly and chronically ill individuals” among the deceased, it claimed, adding that all of the dead’s families had already been located.

Hajj | Arabian News Image

Saudi Arabia Says 1,301 Died On Hajj This Year

Extreme heat has been identified as a major contributor to the hundreds of deaths and injuries reported this year during the Hajj. On Monday, temperatures in Mecca, the holy city at the center of the Hajj pilgrimage, reached a record-breaking 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Several officials say the increase in unofficial pilgrimages has exacerbated the problems.

To legally visit Mecca, Saudi Arabia requires each pilgrim to get one of the 1.8 million eligible licenses, which can cost several thousand dollars. Unlicensed pilgrims rarely travel in organized tour buses with air conditioning or easy access to water and food supplies.

The Saudi authorities also appeared to infer that the unlawful character of many of the trips contributed to the delay in issuing an official death toll, as it hampered the identification process.

“Identification is complete, notwithstanding the initial lack of personal information or identification documents. The proper procedures for identifying, burying, and honoring the deceased were followed, and death certificates were supplied, according to the statement.

Some pilgrims have complained about the poor infrastructure and planning of this year’s Hajj. Even pilgrims on organized excursions spend most of their time outside in the blazing heat.

Some witnesses told CNN that they saw worshipers lose consciousness and walk past bodies wrapped in white fabric.

The Saudi declaration comes as Egypt’s government has threatened to cancel the licenses of 16 Hajj tourism businesses involved in unlawful pilgrimages to Mecca, as well as submit the company’s managers to the public prosecutor, amid fears that hundreds of Egyptians have died.

Egypt’s decision was made during a cabinet meeting on Saturday following a report that exposed the questionable practices of some tourism companies.

Hajj | CNN Image

Saudi Arabia Says 1,301 Died On Hajj This Year

The official death toll among Egyptians is 31. However, Reuters news agency and other publications say that 500 to 600 Egyptians died during the trek.

The report, which was examined by the cabinet, stated that some operators had not provided correct visas, preventing holders from entering the holy city of Mecca and forcing them to arrive “through desert paths on foot.” It also accused certain companies of neglecting adequate accommodations, leaving travelers vulnerable to the heat.

During the meeting, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly expressed his “sincere condolences and sympathy” to the families of the slain pilgrims, promising to provide them with the necessary help.

Hajj permits are granted to countries on a quota basis, and Saudi Arabia requires each pilgrim to get one of the 1.8 million authorized licenses to legally visit Mecca.

However, because one of these permissions costs several thousand US dollars, many pilgrims attempt to enter the site illegally and do not travel in scheduled tour busses with air conditioning or easy access to water and food supplies.

The Islamic lunar calendar determines the schedule of the Hajj, which coincided with searing temperatures in Saudi Arabia this year. This year’s pilgrims braved temperatures as high as 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).

Hajj | Denison Forum

Saudi Arabia Says 1,301 Died On Hajj This Year

Ahmed, a 44-year-old Indonesian, told CNN that he witnessed many people get ill or even dying as a result of the heat.

“On the way home, I encountered several pilgrims who had perished. Almost every few hundred meters, there was a body lying and wrapped in an ihrom [white fabric] cloth.”

“Every time there is a distribution of water from local residents or certain groups, it is immediately overrun by pilgrims,” he added, noting that he did not observe any health staff or ambulances on the road.

As part of the pilgrimage, the faithful execute a series of rites in and around Mecca, which frequently include long daily walks in the blazing heat.

The exact death toll for this year’s Hajj may yet grow, as countries are only aware of pilgrims who registered and traveled to Mecca by their country’s quota.

SOURCE – (CNN)