Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media reports injuries in ramming operation in al-Naqab.
Sheikh Daamoush: Zionists must remain worried, as they have committed a grave error.
Sheikh Daamoush: All concessions given by Lebanese government to date bore no fruit.
Sheikh Daamoush: It is the duty of the state to protect its citizens and sovereignty, government must push plans to that effect and refuse external pressures, diktats.
Sheikh Ali Daamoush: We are not concerned with any plans so long as enemy not abiding by ceasefire.
Israeli media says reports incoming of suspected ramming operation in Tal al-Sabe', al-Naqab.
Sheikh Daamoush: Sayyed Abou Ali's martyrdom will not undermine resistance or prevent it from continuing his plans.
Sheikh Daamoush: We announce today that Sayyed Abou Ali was one of the highest leaders who managed "People of Might" battle, bravely and successfully.
Sheikh Daamoush: Sayyed Tabatabai was a man of the field, present in all confrontations, and one of the architects of liberation and victory.
Hezbollah Executive Council head Sheikh Ali Daamoush delivers eulogy of martyred Commander Haitham Tabatabai, fellow martyrs.

Hajj death toll tops 1,000 after extreme heat: AFP

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: AFP
  • 20 Jun 2024 22:59
3 Min Read

Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims attempt to attend the Hajj through unofficial methods because they cannot pay for the often expensive legal visas.

Listen
  • x
  • Hajj death toll tops 1,000 after extreme heat
    Muslim pilgrims cast stones at pillars in the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia on June 18, 2024. (AP)

The death toll from this year's Hajj pilgrimage has surpassed 1,000, according to an AFP count released Thursday, with more than half of those killed being unregistered worshipers who completed the pilgrimage in harsh temperatures in Saudi Arabia.

According to an Arab official, 58 of the new deaths reported Thursday were Egyptian visitors, with 630 being unregistered.

Around ten nations have recorded 1,081 deaths during the trip, which is one of Islam's five pillars and is required from all Muslims with the means to participate at least once. 

Mecca's Grand Mosque saw temperatures reach 51.8 degrees Celcius, the National Meteorological Center reported. According to Saudi research released last month, temperatures in the area are rising by 0.4 degrees Celsius every decade.

Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims attempt to attend the Hajj through unofficial methods because they cannot pay for the often expensive legal visas.

This group was particularly susceptible since they could not utilize the air-conditioned areas designated for the 1.8 million authorized pilgrims to cool off.

One Arab official told AFP on Thursday, referring to Saturday's day-long outdoor prayers, which marked the culmination of the Hajj that "people were tired after being chased by security forces before Arafat day."

The envoy stated that the heat was the leading cause of mortality among Egyptian pilgrims, triggering problems such as high blood pressure and other concerns.

Egyptian authorities were visiting hospitals to gather information and assist Egyptian pilgrims in receiving medical care, according to a Foreign Ministry statement released on Thursday.

"However, there are large numbers of Egyptian citizens who are not registered in hajj databases, which requires double the effort and a longer time to search for missing persons and find their relatives," according to the report.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has directed that a "crisis cell" led by the prime minister investigate the deaths.

El-Sisi emphasized "the need for immediate coordination with the Saudi authorities to facilitate receiving the bodies of the deceased and streamline the process," according to a statement from his office.

A diplomat told AFP that Pakistan had documented 58 fatalities among the approximately 150,000 pilgrims, calling it "just natural" considering the weather and numbers.

Indonesia's Religious Affairs Ministry reported 183 deaths among around 240,000 pilgrims, compared to 313 deaths last year. Malaysia, India, Jordan, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, Sudan, and Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region have all reported the deaths. In numerous cases, officials have not stated the cause.

Two diplomats told AFP on Thursday that Saudi officials had begun the burial procedure for deceased pilgrims, washing the bodies, wrapping them in white burial linen, and transporting them to be interred.

One diplomat stated that given the number of casualties, it would be hard to warn many families in advance, particularly in Egypt, where so many people died.

  • Hajj
  • Hajj pilgrimage
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Mecca

Most Read

Inside the Epstein-Rothschild web behind 'Israel’s' spy tech empire

Inside the Epstein-Rothschild web behind 'Israel’s' spy tech empire

  • Politics
  • 19 Nov 2025
Hamas fighters stand in formation as they prepare for the ceremony of Israeli captive hand over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

US plot for Gaza in shambles amid continued popular support for Hamas

  • Politics
  • 17 Nov 2025
Democracy at the civilizational crossroads: Critical analysis of bourgeois Democracy, its alternatives

Democracy at the civilizational crossroads: Critical analysis of bourgeois Democracy, its alternatives

  • Analysis
  • 19 Nov 2025
Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
This undated photo, released by Hezbollah Military Media on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, shows Hezbollah senior commander Haytham Ali Tabtabai "Sayyed Abu Ali." (Hezbollah Military Media vía AP)
Politics

Palestinian factions mourn Hezbollah commander Haitham Tabatabai

Hezbollah releases the names of the four martyred with Tabatabai
West Asia

Hezbollah releases the names of the 4 martyred alongside Tabatabai

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham al-Tabatabai
Politics

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai
West Asia

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS