Tragic Deaths at Hajj Pilgrimage: Saudi Arabia Reports Over 1,300 Fatalities and Egypt Cracks Down on Illegal Tours amid Rising Concerns

The recent Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has been marred by tragedy, with over 1,300 fatalities reported, largely due to heat stress and unauthorised trips. The extreme temperatures, reaching up to 52 degrees Celsius, have contributed to the high number of deaths this year.

According to Saudi officials, 83 percent of the deceased were pilgrims who undertook the journey without proper authorisation, facing long walks under direct sunlight without sufficient shelter or comfort. Elderly and chronically ill individuals were among those who tragically lost their lives during the pilgrimage.

Witnesses have described scenes of pilgrims losing consciousness and passing by bodies covered in white cloth amid the harsh conditions. Ahmed, a pilgrim from Indonesia, recounted seeing multiple bodies along the journey, with a lack of health workers or ambulances to assist those in need.

In response to the rising death toll, Egypt has cracked down on illegal Hajj tours, revoking licenses of 16 tourism companies involved in facilitating unauthorised trips to Mecca. Concerns have been raised about the number of Egyptian pilgrims who may have perished during the Hajj, with reports suggesting a higher death toll than officially reported.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly of Egypt expressed condolences to the families affected by the tragic events during this year’s pilgrimage, pledging necessary support in light of the challenging circumstances. The high temperatures during this year’s Hajj have posed additional challenges for worshippers, who endure hours of walking in intense daily heat as part of the pilgrimage rituals.

As governments continue to account for pilgrims who travelled to Mecca under their respective country quotas, the final death toll from this year’s Hajj may still increase. The Saudi government has assured that proper procedures were followed for identification, burial, and issuing death certificates for the deceased pilgrims.