Over 1,000 die during Hajj

According to the source, the number of Russian citizens who have died in Saudi Arabia has risen to five

 The number of pilgrims who died in Saudi Arabia while performing Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, has exceeded 1,000 as reported.

Meanwhile, the number of Indian citizens who have died in Saudi Arabia has risen to 90, said a representative of the Indian Consulate General in Jeddah.

At least 90 Indians died during the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, which has been marked by an intense heatwave this year. Saudi Arabia has not provided information on fatalities, though it reported more than 2,700 cases of “heat exhaustion” on June 19 alone. 

The total number of deaths so far is 1000, according a AFP report. Majority of the deaths were related to heatwaves. 

“We have confirmed around 90 dead… Some are because of natural causes and we had many old-age pilgrims. And some are due to the weather conditions, that’s what we assume,” an Indian diplomat told AFP. 

Videos have emerged showing unattended bodies on the streets, highlighting the crisis. Authorities are working to support affected families and manage the situation. Facebook and other social media networks have been flooded with pictures of the missing and requests for information.

The AFP news agency reported earlier that about 1000 pilgrims had died during Hajj. In most cases, the reason was the extremely hot temperatures. The temperature in Mecca during this year’s Hajj reached nearly 52 degrees Celsius.

The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim is required to make if he or she has the opportunity. This year it took place on June 14-19.