At least 14 Jordanians have died and 17 are missing during the ongoing Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, authorities have said.
The country’s foreign ministry previously confirmed six of the fatalities were heat related, but it is unclear if this was also the cause of the other deaths.
Jordan is working with Saudi Arabia to arrange for burials or transportation of the bodies according to their family’s wishes.
Pic:AP
The Saudi health ministry had already issued an advisory, warning of temperatures soaring to 48C (118F) in the open.
Pilgrims were told to stay hydrated and avoid being outdoors during the hottest hours of the day between 11am and 3pm.
Security forces and medics were deployed to help those who collapsed, while water was sprayed to try to help keep people cool.
Many pilgrims carried umbrellas to protect them against the blistering sun.
Most of the Hajj rituals are held outdoors with little if any shade.
This year’s five-day pilgrimage fell during Saudi’s scorching summer.
Stampedes, tent fires, heat and other factors have caused hundreds of deaths at the event over the last 30 years.
All Muslims are required to make the Hajj once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so.
Many wealthy Muslims make the pilgrimage more than once.
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It is one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, with more than 1.8 million pilgrims expected to take part this year.
Many pilgrims used umbrellas to protect them from the sun. Pic: AP
This year’s Hajj fell during Saudi Araba’s scorching summer. Pic: AP
It also came against the backdrop of the devastating Israel-Hamas war, which has pushed the Middle East to the brink of a regional conflict.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were not able to travel to Mecca this year because of the closure of the Rafah crossing in May when Israel extended its ground offensive to the city on the border with Egypt.
