The sacred city of Mecca has been struck by a severe heatwave during the Hajj pilgrimage, resulting in over 1,000 deaths among worshippers from across the globe. The extreme temperatures, which soared to 52 degrees Celsius, have overwhelmed pilgrims and medical services alike. The majority of the deceased are reported to be Egyptian nationals, with at least 658 confirmed fatalities. Other countries, including India, Tunisia, Malaysia, and Russia, have also reported casualties. The Egyptian government has taken action against travel agencies involved in sending unregistered pilgrims, who have been particularly vulnerable to the harsh conditions. The Saudi authorities have treated over 2,700 individuals for heat-related issues, and a virtual hospital has provided consultations to thousands more. Despite the tragedy, Saudi officials have expressed that the Hajj was conducted smoothly and securely. As the international community grapples with the scale of the disaster, there are urgent calls for measures to protect pilgrims from the dangers posed by such extreme weather events, which are exacerbated by climate change.
Key points
- Over 1,000 pilgrims have died during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca due to extreme heat.
- The majority of the deceased are Egyptian nationals, with significant casualties also reported from India, Tunisia, Malaysia, and Russia.
- Saudi authorities and health services are responding to the crisis, with over 2,700 heat-related cases treated.
Contradictions👾Different reports provide varying numbers of fatalities from Egypt and other countries, indicating potential discrepancies in the death toll.
