According to the foreign ministry of Jordan, 14 residents of that nation lost their lives due to an intense heat wave when they were performing the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Jordan’s foreign ministry verified in a statement that the fatalities perished from “sunstroke due to the extreme heat wave.”
It further stated that 17 people were listed as missing.
According to Jordanian officials, the missing people’s searches are still ongoing.
According to the foreign ministry, it was working with the Saudi authorities to arrange for the deceased’s bodies to be buried or transported in accordance with their families’ wishes.
Furthermore, five Iranian pilgrims lost their life, according to confirmation from the Iranian Red Crescent.
It did not say how they passed away, according to the AFP news agency.
Over 1.8 million pilgrims are participating in this year’s hajj, according to Saudi officials.
All Muslims are required by religion to perform the Hajj, which is one of the world’s biggest public gatherings.
It is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the belief in God and Muhammad as a prophet, fasting, charity, and the five daily prayers.
There have been numerous fatal Hajj incidents in the past, such as tent fires and stampedes.
But the biggest problem most of the time is the extreme heat.
This week’s highs of 46C (114.8F) made many of the customs carried out outside and on foot difficult, particularly for the elderly.
Ayman Ghulam, the director of the Saudi National Meteorological Center, issued a warning last week about anticipated climate change during the hajj.
“Mecca and Medina are expected to experience average temperatures 1.5 to 2 degrees [Celsius] above normal during this year’s Hajj,” Mr. Ghulam stated.
The trek would conclude on Wednesday.
As part of their efforts to mitigate the heat, Saudi officials said they had established numerous climate-controlled spaces. In addition to giving pilgrims water, they gave them sun safety tips.
The Saudi health ministry also released a warning, advising pilgrims to avoid the warmest parts of the day—between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.—and to drink plenty of water.
At least 240 persons passed away last year.
