Tragedy Strikes at 2024 Hajj Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
More than 1,000 people lost their lives during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia due to extreme high temperatures in the desert kingdom. The fatalities largely included individuals from Egypt, with 31 authorized pilgrims from Egypt succumbing to chronic diseases.
Saudi Arabia has not released any official comments regarding the deaths during the pilgrimage, which is a mandatory religious duty for every able Muslim at least once in their lifetime.
The Egyptian government announced that 630 unauthorized pilgrims from Egypt have also passed away, with many of them buried in Saudi Arabia. The government revoked the licenses of 16 travel agencies that facilitated the illegal travel of pilgrims using restricted visas.
Although the exact causes of death remain unconfirmed, countries like Jordan and Tunisia attribute the fatalities to the scorching heat. The Hajj pilgrimage, with a history of deadly stampedes and incidents, witnessed a significantly higher death toll this year.
The Hajj, a sacred ritual for Muslims worldwide, draws millions of worshippers to Saudi Arabia each year. Despite the tragic events, the faith and determination of pilgrims remain strong.