Unregistered Pilgrims Bear the Brunt of Extreme Heat
The death toll from this year’s Hajj pilgrimage has surpassed 1,000, with a significant number of the victims being unregistered worshippers who endured the severe heat of Saudi Arabia. Despite efforts to control the situation, many participated without access to cooler spaces.
Rising Death Toll Amid Sweltering Conditions
The latest figures, announced on Thursday, included 58 Egyptians, contributing to a total of 658 Egyptian fatalities. Among these, 630 were unregistered pilgrims. In total, around 10 countries have reported 1,081 deaths during the pilgrimage, which is a fundamental practice in Islam.
Unprecedented Heat
The Hajj took place during the peak of the Saudi summer, with temperatures nearing 52°C (125°F) at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, according to the National Meteorological Center. A recent Saudi study indicated that temperatures in the area are rising by 0.4°C each decade, exacerbating the risks for pilgrims.
Struggles of Unregistered Pilgrims
Each year, many pilgrims attempt to join the Hajj through unofficial channels due to the high cost of official permits. Saudi authorities have cleared hundreds of thousands of unregistered pilgrims from Mecca this month. However, many still participated in the main rites, lacking access to the air-conditioned facilities reserved for the 1.8 million authorized pilgrims.
Health Implications and Emergency Measures
“People were tired after being chased by security forces before Arafat day. They were exhausted,” an Arab diplomat mentioned, referring to the strenuous day-long outdoor prayers marking the climax of the Hajj. The extreme heat led to complications like high blood pressure, which was a significant cause of death among Egyptian pilgrims.
Egyptian officials are visiting hospitals to gather information and assist their citizens. President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has instructed a crisis team to coordinate with Saudi authorities to facilitate the return of the deceased bodies and streamline the process.
Global Impact
Other countries have also reported fatalities. Pakistan, with about 150,000 pilgrims, recorded 58 deaths, while Indonesia, with around 240,000 pilgrims, reported 183 deaths, down from 313 the previous year. Malaysia, India, Jordan, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, Sudan, and Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region have also confirmed deaths, although specific causes were not always detailed.
Efforts to Locate and Bury the Deceased
Friends and relatives have been searching hospitals and using online platforms to find missing pilgrims. Saudi authorities have initiated the burial process, adhering to their system of cleaning and preparing bodies in white burial cloth before interment.
Preparing for Future Challenges
The timing of the Hajj shifts about 11 days earlier each year according to the Gregorian calendar. Next year’s pilgrimage will occur earlier in June, potentially offering cooler conditions. However, a 2019 study by Geophysical Research Letters warned that due to the climate crisis, heat stress for Hajj pilgrims is expected to reach “extreme danger” levels frequently from 2047 onwards.
