Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], June 24 (HBTV): Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that as many as 1,301 people died during the Hajj pilgrimage, with “numerous cases” due to heat stress and “unauthorized” trips accounting for over four out of five of the deaths, CNN reported.
In a statement, the Saudi government said, “The health system addressed numerous cases of heat stress this year, with some individuals still under care. Regrettably, the number of mortalities reached 1,301.”
The statement noted that 83 per cent of those who died were “unauthorised to perform Hajj” and “walked long distances under direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort.” It said that the deceased people included “several elderly and chronically ill individuals,” adding that the families of all the dead had now been identified, according to CNN report.
Extreme heat has been named as the main reason behind hundreds of deaths and injuries reported during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. The temperature in Mecca rose to a record-setting 125 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday. Various authorities have stated that the problems have been enhanced by the number of unofficial pilgrimages.
Saudi Arabia requires each pilgrim to acquire one of the 1.8 million available licences to legally access Mecca, the holy city that is central for Hajj pilgrims. These licenses can cost a pilgrim several thousand US dollars. Usually, the unlicensed pilgrims don’t travel in organised tour buses with air conditioning or easy access to water and food supplies.
The Saudi government seemed to suggest the unauthorised nature of many of the trips as the reason for taking so long to issue an official death toll, as this had complicated the process of identification.
The statement reads, “Identification completed, despite the initial lack of personal information or identification documents. Proper processes were followed for identification, burial, and honoring the deceased, with death certificates provided.”
Some pilgrims have criticised the poor infrastructure and organisation of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. Pilgrims who were on official tours also spent the bulk of their day walking outdoors in the scorching heat. Speaking to CNN, some witnesses said they saw worshippers losing consciousness and walking past bodies covered in white cloth.
During the meeting, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly offered his “sincere condolences and sympathy” to the families of the deceased pilgrims and pledged to provide them with the necessary support.
(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for clarity.