The death toll during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage has tragically exceeded 1,000, with a significant number attributed to unregistered pilgrims who faced extreme heat in Saudi Arabia. This annual pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, saw devastating conditions as temperatures soared.
Rising Death Toll
Around 10 countries have reported a total of 1,081 deaths during this year’s Hajj. These figures, confirmed by official statements and diplomats, highlight the severe impact of the harsh conditions. Notably, Egypt reported 658 deaths, with 630 of these being unregistered pilgrims.
Extreme Heat Conditions
The timing of Hajj, determined by the lunar Islamic calendar, coincided with the peak of Saudi Arabia’s summer. The national meteorological center recorded a high of 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit) at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. A recent Saudi study indicated that temperatures in the region are rising by 0.4 degrees Celsius each decade.
Challenges for Unregistered Pilgrims
Each year, tens of thousands of pilgrims attempt to perform Hajj through unofficial channels due to the high cost of official permits. Saudi authorities reported clearing hundreds of thousands of these unregistered pilgrims from Mecca. However, many still managed to participate in the main rites, making them more vulnerable to the extreme heat. Without official permits, they lacked access to air-conditioned spaces provided for the 1.8 million authorized pilgrims.