Deadly Hajj: 68 Indian Pilgrims Among 645 Deaths in Mecca

On Wednesday a Saudi Arabian diplomat reported that 68 Indian nationals were among the 645 pilgrims who died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. This death toll is rising because of extreme heat. This figure adds to the previously reported 550 deaths by two Arab diplomats on Tuesday.

The Hajj is one of Islam’s five pillars and requires all Muslims with the means to perform it at least once in their lifetime.

“We have confirmed around 68 dead… Some due to natural causes, as many were elderly pilgrims, and some likely because of the weather conditions,” the diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous, told AFP.

The recent death toll includes 323 Egyptians and 60 Jordanians. According to the diplomats, nearly all Egyptian fatalities were attributed to the intense heat. Other countries, including Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, and Iraq’s Kurdistan region, have also reported deaths, though many have not specified the causes. The total number of deaths now stands at 645, according to AFP’s tally.

Saudi Arabia reported over 2,700 cases of “heat exhaustion” on Sunday alone, highlighting the severe weather conditions that pilgrims faced. The diplomat confirmed that, along with the deaths, some Indian pilgrims were missing, though he did not provide specific numbers. “This happens every year… We can’t say that it is abnormally high this year,” he noted, adding that more information will be available in the coming days.

For several years, the Hajj has coincided with the scorching Saudi summer. A Saudi study published last month revealed that temperatures in the area where the rituals are performed are rising by 0.4 degrees Celsius (0.72 degrees Fahrenheit) each decade, exacerbating the challenges for pilgrims.

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Last year over 200 pilgrims were reported dead. Though the overall figure of loss of lives are not released by Saudi authorities but the increasing number of heat-related illnesses and deaths shows the horrific change in climate.

The Saudi government and international authorities are likely to review current safety protocols and consider additional measures to protect pilgrims from extreme weather conditions in the future.

This tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the harsh realities faced by millions of Muslims during their sacred journey.