At least 550 people have died during the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in the scorching heat, it has been reported.

Temperatures reached at least 51.8C (125F) in the shade in the Saudi Arabian city, as huge crowds of Muslims undertook the annual religious journey - one of the five pillars of Islam.

"Hajj is a difficult task, so you have to exert efforts and perform the rituals even in the conditions of heat and crowding," an Egyptian pilgrim said.

Pilgrims used umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun, as Saudi authorities warned pilgrims to stay hydrated and avoid being outdoors during the hottest hours between 11am and 3pm.

Stampedes, tent fires and other accidents have caused hundreds of deaths during the Hajj in the past 30 years. Some 240 people reportedly died last year.

This year's pilgrimage began on Friday and as usual coincided with the religious holiday, Eid al-Adha.

Dozens of deaths have been reported during this year's Hajj, with the AFP news agency putting the total at 550, citing diplomats.

Some 323 of the dead were Egyptians, most of whom perished due to heat related illness, AFP said.

A 2024 study by the Journal of Travel and Medicine found that rising global temperatures may outpace strategies to deal with the heat. A 2019 study by Geophysical Research Letters said that as temperatures rise in arid Saudi Arabia due to climate change, pilgrims performing Hajj will face "extreme danger".

A Saudi health official, speaking on Monday before many of the reports of deaths were issued, said authorities had not noticed any unusual fatalities among Muslim pilgrims amid the extremely high temperatures.

The ministry had so far treated more than 2,700 pilgrims who suffered from heat-related illness, he added.

SSpeter:
At least 550 people have died during the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in the scorching heat, it has been reported.

Temperatures reached at least 51.8C (125F) in the shade in the Saudi Arabian city, as huge crowds of Muslims undertook the annual religious journey - one of the five pillars of Islam.

"Hajj is a difficult task, so you have to exert efforts and perform the rituals even in the conditions of heat and crowding," an Egyptian pilgrim said.

Pilgrims used umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun, as Saudi authorities warned pilgrims to stay hydrated and avoid being outdoors during the hottest hours between 11am and 3pm.

Stampedes, tent fires and other accidents have caused hundreds of deaths during the Hajj in the past 30 years. Some 240 people reportedly died last year.

This year's pilgrimage began on Friday and as usual coincided with the religious holiday, Eid al-Adha.

Dozens of deaths have been reported during this year's Hajj, with the AFP news agency putting the total at 550, citing diplomats.

Some 323 of the dead were Egyptians, most of whom perished due to heat related illness, AFP said.

A 2024 study by the Journal of Travel and Medicine found that rising global temperatures may outpace strategies to deal with the heat. A 2019 study by Geophysical Research Letters said that as temperatures rise in arid Saudi Arabia due to climate change, pilgrims performing Hajj will face "extreme danger".

A Saudi health official, speaking on Monday before many of the reports of deaths were issued, said authorities had not noticed any unusual fatalities among Muslim pilgrims amid the extremely high temperatures.

The ministry had so far treated more than 2,700 pilgrims who suffered from heat-related illness, he added.

https://news.sky.com/story/hajj-at-least-550-people-die-in-annual-muslim-pilgrimage-to-holy-city-of-mecca-13155271

AntiChristian:

AbuTwins:

Antlislaam:
Ehyah sorry ooo our Muslims people.. You too should stop throwing stones at sheytan or else the thing go dey just dey send different calamities to you while throwing stones at him

AntiChristian:
May Allah forgive them and grant them mercy!

They died in the land of the Prophet and with the intention of performing the fifth pillar of Islam!

May Allah accept it and grant them Paradise!

XXXsearch:


Dey play. See your Monica, a self acclaimed religion of peace. How peaceful you are indeed

3seriez:

Still being fockd in the a$$ I see 😂🤣😂🤣

XXXsearch:
I denounce that I am not a Muslim any shit.
Seun you need to stop this nonsense oath on Muslim thread while leaving Christian thread open to everybody.

I hope the government stops sponsoring people to their untimely death in this evil satanic hajj of a menace.

Nigeria has lost close to 10 people already to this evil satanic gathering, they would have still been alive had they stayed back in their country.

Hajj must be banned permanently for Nigerians and government stop wasting tax payers money to sponsor it

AntiChristian:
May Allah forgive them and grant them mercy!

They died in the land of the Prophet and with the intention of performing the fifth pillar of Islam!

May Allah accept it and grant them Paradise!

agadez007:
72 virgins awaits them in Jannah Aka Garden of pleasure

XXXsearch:
I denounce that I am not a Muslim any shit.
Seun you need to stop this nonsense oath on Muslim thread while leaving Christian thread open to everybody.

I hope the government stops sponsoring people to their untimely death in this evil satanic hajj of a menace.

Nigeria has lost close to 10 people already to this evil satanic gathering, they would have still been alive had they stayed back in their country.

Hajj must be banned permanently for Nigerians and government stop wasting tax payers money to sponsor it

AbuTwins:
May Allah grant them Jannah!

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“He who emigrates (from his home) in the Cause of Allaah, will find on earth many dwelling places and plenty to live by. And whosoever leaves his home as an emigrant unto Allaah and His Messenger, and death overtakes him, his reward is then surely, incumbent upon Allaah” [al-Nisa’ 4:100]

When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about a man who was thrown by his she-camel in ‘Arafah, he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to them: “Wash him with water and lotus leaves, and shroud him in his two garments, and do not put perfume on him or cover his head, for he will be raised on the Day of Resurrection reciting the Talbiyah (Labbayka Allahumma Labbayka..).”

SSpeter:


https://news.sky.com/story/hajj-at-least-550-people-die-in-annual-muslim-pilgrimage-to-holy-city-of-mecca-13155271

mobileboy:
isn't it time we suspend this going to Mecca till things get better it is simply not safe right now

rather than loosing life in hundreds as if they worth nothing

51.8°C is very high, you can't use water at that degree to even bath

how can an holy land even be having such rise in temperature

XXXsearch:
I denounce that I am not a Muslim any shit.
Seun you need to stop this nonsense oath on Muslim thread while leaving Christian thread open to everybody.

I hope the government stops sponsoring people to their untimely death in this evil satanic hajj of a menace.

Nigeria has lost close to 10 people already to this evil satanic gathering, they would have still been alive had they stayed back in their country.

Hajj must be banned permanently for Nigerians and government stop wasting tax payers money to sponsor it