On June 24th, Fahad Al-Jalajel, Minister of Health of Saudi Arabia, announced that a total of 1,301 people died from heat-related illnesses during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for muslims in Saudi Arabia. This number is more than six times higher than the 200 deaths recorded last year.

This announcement marks the first official tally of deaths related to this year’s pilgrimage. Minister Al-Jalajel explained that many of the deceased did not carry their identification cards, which caused delays in identifying them and processing their remains. Additionally, about 83% of the deceased had not received pilgrimage permits from the Saudi authorities and were found to have walked long distances under the scorching sun without proper rest or recovery.

Minister Al-Jalajel expressed condolences, stating, “A majority of the deceased were elderly or had chronic illnesses.” He also emphasized that a total of 465,000 medical services were provided to pilgrims showing symptoms of heatstroke and other conditions, of which 141,000 were for unauthorized pilgrims. Recently, daytime temperatures in the Mecca area have surpassed 50 degrees Celsius, leading to a surge in heat-related illnesses.

The Hajj pilgrimage takes place annually from the 7th to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. It is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, as the most sacred religious ritual, which every Muslim must perform. Muslims should visit Mecca and Medina, the birthplace of Islam, at least once in their lifetime, as long as their financial conditions permit. When the pilgrim is about 6 miles (10 km) from Mecca, he or she enters the state of holiness and purity known as ihram and wears the ihram garments. Men may wrap themselves in two seamless white cloths, while women can wear stitched clothing. The pilgrims cut neither their hair nor their nails until the pilgrimage rite is over.