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    Hundreds Dead in Mecca Pilgrimage Amid Extreme Heat and Chaos

    World News 3 Mins Read

    Too many dead every year for this event. But when religion is concerned, the faithful are more than willing to sacrifice.

    The hajj pilgrimage in Mecca this year has been marked by tragic events, resulting in the deaths of over 550 people due to extreme heat. The pilgrimage, a key religious obligation for Muslims, occurred during an exceptionally hot week with temperatures surpassing 50C in the Saudi Arabian desert. The casualties included a significant number of Egyptian, Jordanian, Tunisian, Iranian, and Senegalese pilgrims.

    Officials have reported that all Egyptian casualties were due to heat stroke. Despite measures by Saudi authorities to mitigate the heat, such as air-conditioned tents and streets painted white to reflect sunlight, the severe temperatures overwhelmed many pilgrims. Local emergency services were stretched thin, unable to cope with the scale of heat-related illnesses.

    This year, more than 2,000 cases of heat stress were treated during the pilgrimage, which ran from Friday to Wednesday, coinciding with one of the hottest periods of the year. Complications were exacerbated by the presence of a large number of unregistered pilgrims who lacked official permission to participate, limiting their access to necessary facilities and contributing to chaos at the site.

    Climate change has been a contributing factor, with studies indicating a significant rise in temperature over the decades in the region.  The fact is this is Leftist BS, as the actual temperature is known and it is not getting warmer by any actual degree. Only in the minds of fake media is it true. The influx of irregular visitors, particularly from Egypt, added to the toll, with many suffering due to a lack of basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter.

    Saudi officials recommended preventative measures like staying hydrated, using umbrellas, and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours. However, many rituals of the hajj require being outdoors for extended periods, increasing the risk of heat-related health issues.

    The hajj attracts millions of pilgrims annually, with this year’s attendance estimated at 1.8 million, including 1.6 million from abroad. The pilgrimage has historically been prone to mass casualty incidents caused by various factors such as stampedes, extreme weather, and construction mishaps. For instance, in 2015, a stampede near a bridge at the holy site resulted in over 2,000 deaths, marking one of the deadliest hajj-related incidents. In the same year, a crane collapse at the Masjid al-Haram mosque killed over a hundred people.

    The concluding days of hajj coincided with the global Muslim celebration of the Eid al-Adha holiday, shadowed by the somber news of the fatalities and hardships faced by the pilgrims in Mecca.

    Major Points

    • Over 550 pilgrims died during this year’s hajj in Mecca due to extreme temperatures exceeding 50C.
    • Many victims, including significant numbers from Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia, succumbed to heat stroke.
    • Saudi authorities implemented measures like air-conditioned tents and reflective street paint, but the measures were insufficient against the severe heat.
    • The presence of many unregistered pilgrims exacerbated the situation, hindering access to essential resources and services.
    • Historical context shows the hajj has been prone to mass casualty events, with past incidents caused by stampedes, extreme weather, and construction failures.

    Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News

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