More than a thousand people died from heat during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca; the government has established a crisis task force. | WPN World People News

"In the Islamic holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the Hajj pilgrimage began on the 14th day, attracting believers from around the world. Due to scorching weather, with temperatures reaching 51 degrees Celsius (123.8 degrees Fahrenheit), over a thousand pilgrims died from heat-related causes. According to Saudi Arabian officials, nearly half of the deceased had not registered for the pilgrimage. Egypt has established a crisis management team to investigate the situation.

The Hajj is a sacred activity for Muslims, and it is obligatory for them to complete this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation allocates the number of pilgrims each Muslim country can send. Participants must register and obtain permits to participate.

The timing of the annual Hajj is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, it coincided with the intense summer heat in Saudi Arabia, resulting in unusually high temperatures. On Arafat Day (June 15), pilgrims gathered on Mount Arafat, approximately 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from Mecca, for prayers and preaching. Pilgrims with permits could stay in air-conditioned tents and use buses for transportation to and from the holy sites, along with access to medical services.

Many pilgrims traveled through unofficial channels without obtaining permits, leading to their inability to use cooling equipment during the pilgrimage. The lack of adequate facilities and the large number of participants contributed to this unfortunate situation.

Saudi Arabia’s official registration for this year’s Hajj exceeded 1.8 million people, with an estimated additional several hundred thousand pilgrims traveling through unofficial means. As of the 17th of this month, over 2,700 people were hospitalized due to heatstroke, and more than 1,000 deaths were reported from over 20 countries, with Egyptians constituting the majority of fatalities.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has instructed the establishment of a crisis team to address the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims. Investigations and penalties are also planned for companies involved in illegal pilgrimage arrangements."