Reports have emerged that a total of 14 Jordanian pilgrims tragically lost their lives while undertaking hajj rituals, with a further 17 individuals currently unaccounted for, according to Jordan’s official news agency.
The disclosure was made on Sunday, with statements from Jordan’s Foreign Ministry attributing the deaths to the scorching sun and extreme heat experienced in the region.
Temperatures soared to nearly 110 degrees Fahrenheit in Mecca on the same day, highlighting concerns raised by recent studies which suggest that the impact of climate change may escalate health risks in the area.
Medical facilities in the country were inundated on Saturday, treating a total of 225 pilgrims for heat-related stress and fatigue.
Tragically, this is not an isolated incident, as previous hajj seasons have also witnessed fatalities, most notably due to stampedes.
The devastating stampede disaster in 2015 claimed the lives of over 700 individuals, shedding light on the dangers and challenges faced during such large-scale religious gatherings.
Many pilgrims, particularly the elderly, have been vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, often succumbing to extreme temperatures while performing outdoor rituals in Mecca and its vicinity.
With the pilgrimage, considered one of the five pillars of Islam, involving extensive outdoor activities under the blazing sun, experts have cautioned about the heightened risks posed by conducting the hajj during the summer months, such as this year.
As a response, Saudi authorities have rolled out various relief measures aimed at alleviating heat stress, which include deploying water mist sprays to cool the air, distributing water, umbrellas, and providing air-conditioned transportation for the pilgrims, resulting in a reduction of heat-related incidents, as per scientific assessments.