A scorching heatwave has cast a shadow over the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, with health officials reporting over 1,300 deaths.
The vast majority of fatalities involved unauthorized pilgrims who lacked official permits. These individuals often traveled long distances under the scorching sun without access to proper shelter or hydration, making them particularly vulnerable to the extreme temperatures that reached over 50°C (122°F) at times.
Saudi authorities endeavored to raise awareness of heatstroke risks and provided medical treatment to nearly half a million pilgrims, including those without permits. However, the high number of casualties has ignited criticism regarding safety measures for unauthorized participants.
Countries like Egypt, Indonesia, and India have confirmed the deaths of hundreds of their citizens, prompting investigations and sanctions against companies that facilitated unauthorized travel.
Also read: More Than 900 Hajj Pilgrims Reported Dead In Mecca Due To Heatstroke
This tragedy underscores the challenges of managing the Hajj pilgrimage during increasingly harsh weather conditions. Saudi Arabia is likely to face intense scrutiny regarding its safety protocols, particularly for unregistered pilgrims, in the aftermath of this disaster.
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