Hundreds of Pilgrims Perish Amid Record-Breaking Heat During Hajj
Several days of extraordinary heat have claimed hundreds of lives during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The searing temperatures have created a tragic scene in Mecca, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. Reports indicate that over 500 people have died, with 323 fatalities from Egypt alone.
Two unnamed Arab diplomats disclosed to the Agence France-Presse that many of these deaths were due to heat-related illnesses. Although Egypt has not released an official count, other countries have reported significant losses: Indonesia with 138 deaths, Jordan with 41, and Tunisia with 35.
The Associated Press, reporting from Mecca, also confirmed a triple-digit death toll. Crowds lined up at emergency health facilities, desperate for news about their missing loved ones. The exact number of heat-related deaths remains unclear, but this year’s Hajj coincided with an unprecedented heat wave. At one point, temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit). Over 1.8 million people participated in the pilgrimage this year.
Unbearable Heat Overwhelms Pilgrims
Ahmad Bahaa, a 37-year-old Egyptian engineer working in Saudi Arabia, described “shocking scenes” as the heat gripped Mecca. Unregistered pilgrims, lacking permits and access to services, suffered the most. “Ambulances were moving nonstop, collecting people left and right,” Bahaa said. “People were sleeping on the sidewalks. I saw someone collapse right in front of our tent.”
Mecca, the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad, is Islam’s holiest city. The Hajj is one of Islam’s five pillars, a ritual every Muslim must complete at least once if able. However, the city is also affected by humid air from the Red Sea, and many pilgrims are elderly. The pilgrimage involves several days and dozens of hours outdoors, which can be lethal in extreme heat.
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Despite efforts by Saudi Arabia to mitigate the dangers with over 100,000 air-conditioned tents, water and umbrella distributions, tree planting, and health facilities, the measures proved insufficient against the escalating heat. A recent paper by Saudi researchers highlighted the need for more robust measures in the face of rising temperatures.
Rising Temperatures and Future Challenges
Mecca is experiencing an increasing number of dangerously hot days. By 2050, it is projected to have 182 days of dangerous heat for those outdoors, according to an analysis by The Washington Post and CarbonPlan. Even in the shade, 54 days will be hazardous. This makes Mecca one of the most inhospitable places on Earth.
A 2019 study revealed a significant warming trend in Mecca over the past 30 years, with temperatures rising close to 2°C, higher than the global average. Adonis Imam, a physician from Georgia, described the heat as “very strenuous.” Despite misting and cooling measures, the extreme heat took a toll on pilgrims. “Even short walks were exhausting,” Imam said. Groups were advised to avoid being outdoors from noon to late afternoon.
Many pilgrims without cool shelters sought shade, spraying water on themselves and using umbrellas. Alaa al-Din Mohey, 33, noted these were the hottest days of his life. The Hajj dates rotate due to the lunar calendar, meaning it will cycle into hotter months again between 2047 and 2052. In 1985, a similar situation led to over 1,000 deaths due to heat stroke.
Saudi Arabia has yet to confirm the death toll but reported thousands of cases of heat stress and sunstroke. Despite this, state media declared the Hajj a “success,” citing effective plans for security, health, and traffic management.
