Temp in Mecca reaches 51.8 degrees
At least 550 Haj pilgrims died this year in Mecca due to soaring heat. Out of them, 323 were Egyptians, Arab Diplomats reported. Egyptian authorities said all Egyptians died due to heat-related ailments, except one who succumbed to injuries in a minor crowd crush.
Sixty Jordanians were reported dead. The cumulative figure of the deceased from various countries has gone up to 577.
A study in Saudi Arabia noted that the temperatures in the area is increasing every year by 0.4 degrees Celsius during the last ten years. On Monday the temperature at Mecca Grand Mosque was recorded at 51.8 degrees Celsius by the Saudi National Meteorology Centre.
Saudi authorities have treated over 2,000 pilgrims for heat-related ailments.
Last year 240 pilgrims died during the Haj. Most of them were Indonesian nationals. The pilgrims were using water, cold drinks, ice creams, using umbrellas to keep themselves hydrated. The rituals require extended outdoor activities.
Unregistered pilgrims face greater risks and are denied air-conditioned facilities for want of proper visas. Egyptian authorities alleged rise in death toll due to these irregular pilgrims causing chaos in the camps.
Other countries including Iran, Indonesia, and Senegal also reported fatalities during the pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia Health Minister Fahd bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jalajel claimed that adequate care was taken to prevent major disease outbreaks.