Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Amidst blistering heat and scrutiny over the welfare of participants, a top Saudi official insisted on Friday that the kingdom effectively managed this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, despite the deaths of over 1,100 individuals. Many fatalities were reported among pilgrims subjected to extreme temperatures that exceeded 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas, raising concerns about the measures in place to ensure their safety.
The alarming death toll, which prominently included many from Egypt, has prompted a critical examination of the events surrounding the annual Islamic rite held in Saudi Arabia. According to reports, more than half of the deaths were among Egyptians, with a significant portion being unregistered participants. Officials cited adverse weather conditions and heightened attendance, including a large number of pilgrims who embarked on the journey without official permits, complicatsing coordination and response efforts.
The Saudi official, speaking on conditions of anonymity, confirmed that the recorded deaths reached 577 over the two most intense days of the Hajj – the Day of Arafat and the subsequent rites in Mina. This figure only partially represents the full total of casualties, as final tallies and specific details continue to emerge.
Traditionally, millions from around the world gather in Mecca to pursue this pillar of Islamic faith. This year, nearly 1.8 million pilgrims partook, mirroring last year’s numbers. Given the scale, Saudi authorities allocate pilgrimage quotas to countries, managing permits through a lottery. However, the lure of reducing costs has driven a significant number of faithful to risk detention or deportation by attending without proper authorization.
In an unexpected turn of events, Saudi officials, who had initially expelled over 300,000 would-be pilgrims lacking permits, received directives to admit individuals at the gates of the holy sites, increasing the influx of unregistered attendees. It is estimated that about 400,000 unregistered pilgrims, predominantly Egyptians, were allowed entry, a move which complicated logistics and strained resources.
The logistical hurdles were particularly overwhelming for the unregistered pilgrims who struggled with access to basic amenities provided to officially recognized participants, like air-conditioned tents and authorized transportation. Many resorted to walking extensive distances under the harsh sun, leading to scenes of pilgrims collapsing and, in some unfortunate instances, dying by the roadside.
Moreover, the challenges extended to the domains of healthcare and transportation. Unregistered pilgrims faced difficulties in accessing medical services and were reportedly asked to pay exorbitant fees for bus services that were nominally reserved for registered pilgrims. The shortage of amenities for this group exacerbated the impact of the scorching heat.
In a case underscoring the broader U.S. impact, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department confirmed the deaths of multiple American citizens during the pilgrimage, although exact figures and further details are yet to be released.
The Hajj is a deeply spiritual journey for Muslims globally, and these incidents have stirred discussions about the necessity for improved regulation, infrastructure, and outreach to ensure the welfare of all pilgrarchs regardless of their registration status. As the Saudi government grapples with the fallout, calls for extensive reviews and the implementation of more robust safety measures have grown, in hopes of preventing such tragedies in future gatherings.