Tragic Deaths During Haj Pilgrimage in 2024
During this year’s Haj pilgrimage, a total of 1,301 people lost their lives, according to Saudi Arabia’s health minister Fahad Al-Jalajel. The deaths were largely attributed to pilgrims walking long distances in extreme heat without proper shelter or comfort, leading to fatalities among the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. Shockingly, 83% of the deceased were unauthorized to make the pilgrimage.
The majority of the victims were Egyptians, with the death toll reaching 672 and 25 individuals still missing. Indonesia and India also suffered significant losses, with 236 and 98 citizens passing away during Haj, respectively. Additional casualties were reported from Tunisia, Jordan, Iran, and Senegal, bringing the total death toll to at least 1,114 individuals.
The Egyptian crisis unit has taken action against 16 tourism companies, suspending their licenses and referring them to the public prosecutor for their alleged role in the deaths of unregistered pilgrims. Despite this tragic outcome, 31 deaths were confirmed among officially registered pilgrims due to chronic illnesses.
Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2024