The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, has witnessed a tragic turn of events as 14 Jordanian pilgrims have died, and 17 remain missing in Saudi Arabia. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry, in coordination with Saudi authorities, is working to arrange the burial or repatriation of the deceased, as per the families’ wishes, and to search for the missing individuals. The cause of these tragedies has been attributed to heat-related illnesses, particularly heatstroke, as temperatures soared to 48°C (118°F). The pilgrims who succumbed to the heat were not part of the official Jordanian Hajj delegation and included victims from both Jordan and Iran. The Saudi Health Ministry had issued warnings about the extreme heat and advised pilgrims to stay hydrated and avoid exposure during peak hours. Despite these advisories and the implementation of heat mitigation measures by the Saudi government, such as air-conditioned areas and water distribution, the fatalities have raised concerns about the safety of the millions of pilgrims, particularly the elderly, performing the pilgrimage. The Hajj, which attracted over 1.8 million pilgrims this year, mostly from abroad, continues to be a deeply spiritual journey for Muslims worldwide. However, this year’s pilgrimage has been overshadowed by the severe weather conditions, underscoring the need for enhanced safety measures for future events.
Key points
- 14 Jordanian pilgrims have died during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, with heatstroke cited as a major cause.
- 17 Jordanian pilgrims are reported missing amidst the pilgrimage.
- Saudi Health Ministry issued heatstroke warnings, advising pilgrims to take precautions against the extreme heat.
- Despite measures to mitigate heat, the pilgrimage has seen fatalities and missing persons, calling for enhanced safety protocols.
