The death toll at this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has risen to 1,300, as extreme heat posed a significant challenge for the millions of Muslim pilgrims visiting Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom. According to Saudi authorities, the majority of fatalities occurred among unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances under scorching temperatures.
Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister, Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel, reported that 83% of the deaths involved unauthorized pilgrims. Many countries, including Jordan and Tunisia, have attributed the loss of life to the intense heat during the pilgrimage.
