Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health, Fahd bin Abdulrahman, has attributed the deaths during this year’s Hajj primarily to inadequate shelter and the physical strain of walking long distances under the intense sun without sufficient rest.
According to Minister Abdulrahman, a total of 1,301 pilgrims succumbed during the Hajj rituals held in Saudi Arabia. He highlighted that many victims were elderly or had pre-existing health conditions, which exacerbated their vulnerability to the harsh conditions.
In his report, Abdulrahman noted that a significant majority, approximately 83%, of those who died were pilgrims who had not obtained the requisite permissions to participate in the Hajj, indicating a breach of regulated entry procedures.
Further details provided by various national authorities shed light on the demographics of the deceased. Egyptian officials have identified 672 of the deceased as Egyptian nationals, with an additional 25 individuals currently unaccounted for. Indonesian authorities have reported 236 Indonesian fatalities, and the Indian Foreign Affairs Agency has confirmed 98 Indian nationals among the deceased. Additionally, citizens from Tunisia, Jordan, Iran, and Senegal are also reported to have been among those who passed away during the religious gathering.
The toll underscores the physical and logistical challenges of managing one of the world’s largest and most demanding religious pilgrimages.
