Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and a mandatory religious duty for Muslim adults who are physically and financially able, which must be carried out at least once in their lifetime.
According to reports, Saudi authorities announced that more than 1,300 people died on this year’s pilgrimage due to extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Hajj began on June 14 and ended on June 19, 2024.
The report further mentions that each pilgrim is required to be licensed to legally access Mecca, with about 83% of the fatalities from unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances in extreme weather conditions. The exact number of fatalities in this year’s Hajj may rise, as the government is aware of mostly registered and licensed pilgrims.
