No less than 19 people died while on the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, authorities reported on Sunday, June 16.
Jordan's foreign ministry confirmed 14 of theirs were lost to sunstroke, while 17 have gone missing.
In a separate statement, Iranian Red Crescent Chief Pirhossein Koolivand said five Iranians died during the Hajj rituals in Mecca and Medina this year. He did not disclose the causes of the deaths.
Among the greatest religious congregations, the Hajj is the fifth of Islam's fundamental practices, also known as the Five Pillars of Islam. Pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca must be done at least once in a Muslim's life, should they possess the means.
About 1.8 million pilgrims will have to endure temperatures which have risen well above 40 degrees Celsius, as rituals are mainly performed on foot outdoors.
Saudi Arabia has already taken measures to alleviate the harshness of the heat. They have built climate-controlled spaces, and provide pilgrims with water and advice on ways to shield oneself from the sun.
In 2023, authorities recorded at least 240 pilgrims dead also due to the Hajj rituals.
Most of them were from Indonesia but the causes of their deaths were not revealed.
