Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that 1,301 people died during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage. The main causes of death were heat stress and unauthorized trips. According to a statement from the Saudi government, “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 further noted that 83 percent of those who died were unauthorized to perform Hajj and walked long distances under direct sunlight without adequate shelter or comfort.
Identification of the Deceased
The deceased included several elderly and chronically ill individuals. The Saudi government has identified the families of all the deceased. The process of identification was complicated due to the unauthorized nature of many of the trips, but it has now been completed. 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.”
Extreme Heat and Unofficial Pilgrimages
Extreme heat was a significant factor in the high number of deaths and injuries during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. The temperature in Mecca rose to a record-setting 125 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). The problems were exacerbated by the number of unofficial pilgrimages. Saudi Arabia requires each pilgrim to acquire one of the 1.8 million available licenses to legally access Mecca. These licenses can cost a pilgrim several thousand US dollars. Unlicensed pilgrims typically do not travel in organized tour buses with air conditioning or easy access to water and food supplies.
Criticism and Infrastructure Issues
Some pilgrims have criticized the poor infrastructure and organization of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. Even those on official tours spent the bulk of their day walking outdoors in the scorching heat. Witnesses reported seeing worshippers losing consciousness and walking past bodies covered in white cloth.
Response from the Egyptian Government
In response to the deaths, the Egyptian government has pledged to revoke the licenses of 16 Hajj tourism firms involved in making illegal pilgrimages to Mecca. The managers of these companies will be referred to the public prosecutor amid fears that hundreds of Egyptians are among the deceased. The decision came after a report highlighted the dubious nature of how some tourism firms operate. The report accused some operators of not issuing correct visas, forcing pilgrims to enter Mecca through desert paths on foot and leaving them exposed to the heat without proper accommodation.
Prime Minister’s Condolences
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.
Timing and Conditions of the Hajj Pilgrimage
The timing of the Hajj pilgrimage is based on the Islamic lunar calendar, which in 2024 has fallen during scorching temperatures in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims performed various rituals in and around Mecca, often involving many hours of walking in the intense heat every day.
Ongoing Concerns
The total number of deaths in this year’s Hajj could still rise, as governments only know about pilgrims who have registered and visited Mecca as part of their nation’s quota.
