Hajj 2024: Over 1,000 Deaths Reported, Many Unregistered Pilgrims Affected by Extreme Heat

This year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has seen a tragic toll, with over 1,000 deaths reported, according to AFP.

The sources confirm that more than half were unregistered pilgrims, particularly vulnerable to the scorching summer heat. Each year, tens of thousands of pilgrims attempt to perform the Haj through irregular channels as they cannot afford the often-costly official permits. Unregistered pilgrims lacked access to air-conditioned spaces provided for authorized participants.

Temperatures soared past 50 degrees Celsius in Mecca, and a recent study suggests rising temperatures are a growing concern.

The physical exertion of the pilgrimage, combined with the heat and lack of proper rest, is believed to be a major factor in the deaths.