At least 90 Indian citizens have died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, which has been significantly affected by a severe heatwave, sources informed on Thursday. The total reported death toll stands at 645, according to reports. Sources indicated that most of the fatalities were due to the extreme heat conditions. “No accidents have been reported,” the source stated.
Earlier, an anonymous Arab diplomat confirmed that at least 68 Indian nationals died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. “Some deaths were due to natural causes, and many of the deceased were elderly pilgrims. Others were attributed to the weather conditions, as we understand,” the diplomat said.
Several Indians are also reported missing. Previously on Tuesday, Arab diplomats confirmed that at least 550 pilgrims had died this year, with the majority succumbing to the high temperatures in Mecca, as reported.
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Approximately 1.8 million people from around the world participated in the pilgrimage this year.
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, and every Muslim who is able is required to fulfill this religious obligation at least once in their lifetime.
This year’s pilgrimage experienced an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 50 degrees Celsius, marking the highest recorded in recent decades.
According to a Saudi study, temperatures in the pilgrimage area have been rising at a rate of 0.4 degrees Celsius per decade. In 2023, more than 200 pilgrims died during the Hajj, and over 2,000 individuals suffered from heat-related stress as temperatures reached 48 degrees Celsius.
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