Several hundred people were killed while performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Many people died due to the effects of the extreme heat. According to Saudi television, the temperature today reached 51.8 degrees in the shade.

More than 1.8 million people of different nationalities attended Hajj this year. It was announced earlier that the intense heat claimed the lives of fourteen people, but the death toll is now rising. It is not clear exactly how many people died. Reports are issued in each country on its population.

For example, the Jordanian government reported that 41 Jordanians had died from heat stroke. Tunisian media reports the death of at least 35 Tunisians. Iran reports 11 deaths. The Indonesian Ministry of Health reported that 144 Indonesians died while performing the Hajj. It is not clear whether they all died from the heat or from another cause. It is also said that pilgrims are still missing.

Due to the expected heat, the Saudi authorities have already taken measures. For example, additional water points were created, water vapor was diffused over the site, and people were advised to stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day. Many pilgrims brought an umbrella to protect themselves from the sun.

Additional emergency services have also been deployed. A Saudi health official told Reuters that more than 2,700 pilgrims were treated for heat-related complaints.

The Hajj lasts five days, the last of which is Wednesday. For Muslims, it is a moment of reflection and atonement for all sins committed. Pilgrims wear white robes, which symbolize equality. Islam requires Muslims who are in good health and can afford the Hajj to perform the Hajj once in their lives.