More than 1,300 people died during Hajj, many of them after walking in the scorching heat
apnews.com
83% of the 1,301 fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances in soaring temperatures, the Saudi health minister said.

More than 1,300 people died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom, Saudi authorities announced Sunday.

Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel said that 83% of the 1,301 fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances in soaring temperatures to perform the Hajj rituals in and around the holy city of Mecca.

Speaking with the state-owned Al Ekhbariya TV, the minister said 95 pilgrims were being treated in hospitals, some of whom were airlifted for treatment in the capital, Riyadh. He said the identification process was delayed because there were no identification documents with many of the dead pilgrims.

He said the dead were buried in Mecca, without giving a breakdown.

    • FuglyDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
      16·
      4 months ago

      I kinda woulda assumed that with all the infrastructure there they’d be able to get people water, at least.

      • rbesfe@lemmy.ca
        1·
        4 months ago

        They have infrastructure, but it’s only for people who are on the registered list of 1.8 million. Anyone not on that list is taking a risk that I hope is made clear to them.

    • 800XL@lemmy.world
      44·
      4 months ago

      This explains the anti-abortion stance of the right. Can’t allow abortions because it’s more important they grow up to suffer by their god’s hands as they make a pilgrimmage to worship that god. As thanks he lets them die suffering and miserable from the decisions of their god’s other believers. You know, the ones with all the oil and the heads of the companies that profess to believe and vote for people who will keep this shit going.