By bne Gulf bureau
More than 1,400 people are missing or presumed dead in this year’s annual Hajj due to the intense heat.
Reports from newspapers in several Muslim countries report that hundreds of people have been reported dead, with hundreds more missing, duringthis year’s annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, as temperatures soar beyond 50 degrees Celsius on most days. The temperature hit 51.9 degrees Celsius in Mecca on June 19.
Shocking videos circulating on social media show dozens of dead bodies dumped on the side of the road in areas believed to be around Mecca. Other videos show dozens of bodies wrapped in caffans (Islamic shrouds) being despatched by Mecca authorities.
Iraqi, Iranian, Jordanian and Syrian officials have reported dozens of deaths of their compatriots. However, some local media, including Iranian, have tried to downplay the numbers of those who have died in their respective countries’ delegations to the holy sites.
After the news of the soaring death toll came out, relatives and families started contacting hospitals and making online requests in search of the missing pilgrims.
The death toll has led to criticism of the way the Saudi authorities are handling the crisis. Arabic language Nabaa TV laid the blame on Saudi authorities for covering up the number of deaths; in its report released on June 20 it said Riyadh authorities “ignored the deaths”.
“With successive data on the number of deaths approaching a thousand in non-final statistics issued by countries, the official Saudi authorities did not issue any statement about the disaster and were content through their agencies with claims of the success of the season.”
Despite the growing number of deaths, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib, extended his congratulations to authorities in the country on the “success” of the annual Hajj, local media reported on June 20.
“His Excellency pointed out that this great success achieved was the result of the generous directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the direct follow-up and supervision of His Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect them – who harnessed all efforts and capabilities to serve the guests of God, to perform their rituals with all ease, ease and reassurance,” he said in his official statement in the state-owned Al Riyadh newspaper on June 20.
Saudi Arabia has not released information on pilgrim deaths, although it reported more than 2,700 cases of heat exhaustion on June 16 alone.
According to AFP, Saudi diplomatic sources say this happens every year and that it is not yet clear whether this year it is unusually high.
Egyptians appear to be the biggest victims this year from the ongoing extreme heatwave, especially near Mount Arafat, southeast of Mecca, which is part of the Hajj pilgrimage.
An Egyptian diplomat, who requested anonymity, told AFP on June 19 that the number of deaths among Egyptian pilgrims had risen to “at least 600” after earlier reports said that at least 323 had died from that country, including babies.
The diplomat indicated that Egyptian officials in Saudi Arabia had received '1,400 reports of missing persons so far,' noting that this number includes the previously mentioned death toll. He added that 'all [new deaths] were caused by the heat'.
Pakistani media Vetogate reported at least 144 people missing from that country’s contingent since the beginning of the Hajj pilgrimage this year.
Ayben Abdel Azim, head of Pakistan’s “lost person’s committee”, said they had “identified the lost people”.
Iran's Dr Ali Marashi, the head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Medical Centre of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, said that so far, “14 pilgrims to the House of God” have lost their lives, ISNA reported. He said this consisted of 11 men and three women, with six dying due to heat stroke.
According to estimates, more than 2mn people are participating in this year’s Hajj ceremonies, which include visits to Mecca, Medina and Mount Arafat, all operated by Saudi Arabia’s Hajj authorities.
The event occurs two months and 10 days after Ramadan ends, the date of which moves forward each year. This year’s Hajj is at the height of the country's summer heat, exacerbating the problem.
The number of deaths during the Hajj pilgrimage varies considerably each year due to factors such as crowd size, weather conditions and specific incidents.
Health-related fatalities and accidents are common at such gatherings. For instance, in 2019, at least 230 pilgrims died from health complications during Hajj, the Times of Israel reported.
