A severe heatwave in Saudi Arabia has resulted in the tragic deaths of 920 pilgrims, including 600 Egyptian citizens. The unprecedented heat, with temperatures soaring to 51.8 degrees Celsius on Monday, has caused a devastating toll during the annual pilgrimage.
Key Details:
- Death Toll: 920 pilgrims confirmed dead, including 600 Egyptians.
- Other Nationalities Affected: 68 Indian citizens are among the deceased, with several more reported missing. Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, and Iraq’s Kurdistan region have also reported casualties.
- Ongoing Search: Jordanian authorities are actively searching for 20 missing pilgrims, while 80 initially reported missing were found in hospitals.
Impact and Response
The extreme heat has overwhelmed Saudi Arabia, with over 2,700 cases of heat exhaustion reported on Sunday alone. Despite the severity of the situation, Saudi authorities have not yet provided comprehensive information about the pilgrim deaths.
Diplomatic Insights:
- Unregistered Pilgrims: Many of the deceased Egyptians were unregistered, complicating the identification process.
- Indian Pilgrims: A diplomat reported that some Indian pilgrims are missing, but the exact number remains unspecified.
Arab Diplomat’s Statement: “Such incidents occur every year during the pilgrimage. While the numbers are high, this year is not exceptionally different.”
Relatives’ Efforts
The heartbreaking news has prompted families and relatives of the missing pilgrims to take action. Many are contacting hospitals and submitting online requests to locate their loved ones, hoping for any information amid the chaos.
This tragic event highlights the harsh realities faced by pilgrims during extreme weather conditions. As the search for missing individuals continues, the global community mourns the loss of those who traveled for a sacred journey but were met with an unforeseen and deadly natural disaster.
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