Cairo, Egypt – The death toll from this year’s Hajj pilgrimage has surged to nearly 500, with fears that the actual number could be much higher. Reports indicate that up to 600 Egyptian worshipers may have perished en route to Mecca due to extreme heat.
Authorities in various countries have confirmed the deaths of nationals during the pilgrimage. Among them are 14 Malaysians, 165 Indonesians, 75 Jordanians, 35 Pakistanis, 49 Tunisians, 11 Iranians, and 98 Indians. The United States also reported multiple citizen fatalities during the Hajj pilgrimage.
The high temperatures, reaching up to 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit), have resulted in dozens of Iranians being hospitalized for heatstroke and other conditions. As of now, the official death toll stands at least 480 for this year’s pilgrimage.
The Saudi Arabian government and Egyptian authorities have not yet released official figures, indicating that the death toll could rise further. Concerns are also raised about unregistered pilgrims who may have succumbed to the extreme conditions.
Efforts are underway in Egypt to accurately account for the victims and missing individuals. The discrepancy in numbers is attributed to the large number of unregistered pilgrims not included in the official count.
Despite safety measures implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Health, including cooling stations and medical units, this year’s pilgrimage has been marked by tragedy. Questions are being raised about the level of preparedness and safeguards provided to ensure the well-being of pilgrims.
The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, requires physically and financially able Muslims to make the journey to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. The annual ritual includes various ceremonies symbolizing unity before God and the stoning of evil at Mount Arafat.
In light of the recent deaths, there is growing scrutiny on the handling of the pilgrimage and the safety measures in place. The economic significance of the Hajj pilgrimage for Saudi Arabia is also being reevaluated, with experts suggesting its untapped potential for generating substantial revenue in the long term.