Saudi Official Responds to Criticism Over Haj Management Following Over 1,100 Pilgrim Deaths Amid Extreme Heat
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 …