CBS News reported Tuesday that at least 323 Egyptian pilgrims have died from a heatwave during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
At least 323 Egyptian pilgrims have died from heatstroke during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to information released by Arab diplomats, CBS News reported. reportMany of the deaths were blamed on extreme temperatures in the region and occurred during one of Islam’s most important rites of passage, which attracts millions of believers from around the world.
BREAKING: Over 300 Egyptians die from heat during Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, diplomat says – CBS News https://t.co/L80mfBrcdr
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A diplomat stressed that all but one of the deaths were due to heat exposure, while the other was due to injuries sustained after being crushed by the crowd. These figures were confirmed by a report from the hospital morgue in Mecca’s Al-Muaissem district. According to an AFP tally, the current death toll from the pilgrimage is 550, with 577 reported deaths across countries, CBS News reported.
On June 18, 2024, Muslim pilgrims gathered at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca at the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to perform a farewell pilgrimage known as “tawaf”, which involves walking seven times around the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site. (Photo credit: -/AFP via Getty Images)
The rise in deaths this year, including at least 60 Jordanians, is a sharp increase from an initial report of 41, raising concerns about the impact of rising temperatures. A Saudi Arabian study found that temperatures at pilgrimage sites have risen significantly, increasing the risk to participants, according to CBS News. (Related article: ‘Magical’ artifacts discovered on ancient pilgrimage route)
About 1.8 million people took part in this year’s pilgrimage, the majority of whom came from outside Saudi Arabia, and the event is a must-attendance for any Muslim who can afford it, according to CBS News.
