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More than a thousand people die in Hajj in Saudi Arabia
Thousands of pilgrims have died during the Hajj in Mecca, and among the dead are several American citizens. What happened?
By  Moroni David Haro Reyes
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More than a thousand people die in Hajj in Saudi Arabia

Posted on06/25/24 at 08:00

  • Extreme Heat Causes Deaths at Hajj.
  • Unauthorized Pilgrims Perish.
  • U.S. Citizens Among the Victims.

This year’s annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj, ended in monumental tragedy:

Thousands of pilgrims lost their lives due to extreme heat.

Among the deceased were several U.S. citizens, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of State.

The Hajj, which spanned five days of intense religious rituals, was marked by record-breaking temperatures reaching 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit).

WHAT CAUSED THE THOUSANDS OF DEATHS AT HAJJ?

deaths, heat stress, US citizens, State Department, record temperature, licenses, Deaths at Hajj Pilgrimage

These extreme conditions were a key factor behind the numerous deaths and reported incidents of heat stress.

Mecca, the central point of the pilgrimage, experienced unprecedented temperatures, exacerbating the situation for pilgrims.

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Saudi Arabia reported on Sunday that over 1,300 people died during this year’s Hajj, according to CNN.

The Saudi government highlighted that a large portion of the deaths, 83%, were among pilgrims who were not officially authorized to perform the Hajj.

U.S. CITIZENS DIED IN THE TRAGEDY

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1200"]pilgrimage to Mecca, hajj, extreme heat, deaths, US citizens, MundoNOW

These individuals, who undertook long journeys on foot under the scorching sun without shelter or adequate amenities, included many elderly and chronically ill people.

The U.S. Department of State confirmed the death of several U.S. citizens during the pilgrimage.

«We offer our deepest condolences to the families for their loss,» it stated in a press release, adding that they are ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance.

The exact number of deceased U.S. citizens had not been provided nor were further details offered «out of respect for the privacy of the families.»

The Saudi government attributed part of the tragic toll to unauthorized travels, according to the cited source.

Saudi Arabia requires each pilgrim to acquire one of the 1.8 million licenses available to legally access Mecca, which can cost several thousand dollars.

Unlicensed pilgrims usually lack access to tourist buses with air conditioning or to water and food easily, increasing their vulnerability to extreme heat.

The Saudi healthcare system faced numerous cases of heat stress this year and is still caring for some affected individuals.

Authorities have emphasized the need to comply with Hajj regulations to prevent future tragedies.

«The number of deaths reached 1,301,» the Saudi government stated in a release as it published its first official figures, underscoring the importance of proper planning and preparation for this massive event.

The devastating loss of lives during this year’s Hajj highlights the urgency of addressing the climatic and logistical challenges faced by pilgrims.

High temperatures and extreme conditions require more thorough preparation and strict adherence to pilgrimage regulations.

To listen to the podcast about this and other news, click on the photo

[caption id="attachment_1437002" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Podcast, News, Your World Today, Hear Us Audio, MundoNOW Deaths at Hajj Pilgrimage PHOTO MundoNow