World
Tragic Death Toll in Hajj Pilgrimage
Explore the heartbreaking tragedy of the high death toll during the Hajj pilgrimage, shedding light on the devastating losses and the impact on pilgrims and their families.
More than 1,000 people lost their lives during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia due to extreme temperatures, officials reported. The pilgrimage, held from June 14th to June 19th, saw temperatures exceeding 50 degrees celsius, leading to a devastating loss of lives.
Nationalities Affected
Among the deceased, over half were from Egypt, with other fatalities including 165 pilgrims from Indonesia, 98 from India, and others from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Malaysia. The death toll, estimated at over 1,000, has not been officially confirmed by Saudi authorities but is based on individual countries’ reports.
Previous Tragedies and Response
In 2015, a fatal stampede during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca resulted in over 2,000 deaths, marking it as the deadliest Hajj disaster in history. The recent tragedy has prompted the Egyptian government to revoke the licenses of 16 travel agencies for facilitating the travel of unauthorized pilgrims, emphasizing stricter regulations.
Additional Details:
- Videos circulating online show victims in Mecca covered with white shrouds due to the extreme heat.
- Families and friends of missing pilgrims have turned to social media to search for their loved ones.
- Two American citizens, Isatu Tejan Wurie and Alieu Dausy Wurie, were among the reported victims of the pilgrimage.