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Fourteen Jordanians die during Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia

The fatalities come as summer temperatures soared to 48C in the open, with most rituals held outdoors where there is little if any shade.

Sunday 16 June 2024 15:41, UK

Water is sprayed on Muslim pilgrims at the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Pic: AP
Image: Water is sprayed on pilgrims to cool them down. Pic: AP
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At least 14 Jordanians have died and 17 are missing during the ongoing Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, authorities have said.

The country's foreign ministry previously confirmed six of the fatalities were heat related, but it is unclear if this was also the cause of the other deaths.

Jordan is working with Saudi Arabia to arrange for burials or transportation of the bodies according to their family's wishes.

Paramedics carry a muslim pilgrim for a medical check due to a heat stroke in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Pic: Reuters
Image: Medical teams treat collapsed heat stroke victims. Pic: Reuters
Paramedics carry a muslim pilgrim for a medical check due to a heat stroke at pillars, in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia . Pic:AP
Image: Pic:AP

The Saudi health ministry had already issued an advisory, warning of temperatures soaring to 48C (118F) in the open.

Pilgrims were told to stay hydrated and avoid being outdoors during the hottest hours of the day between 11am and 3pm.

Security forces and medics were deployed to help those who collapsed, while water was sprayed to try to help keep people cool.

Many pilgrims carried umbrellas to protect them against the blistering sun.

More on Hajj

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Most of the rituals are held outdoors with little if any shade.

This year's five-day pilgrimage fell during Saudi's scorching summer.

Stampedes, tent fires, heat and other factors have caused hundreds of deaths at the event over the last 30 years.

All Muslims are required to make the Hajj once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so.

Many wealthy Muslims make the pilgrimage more than once.

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It is one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, with more than 1.8 million pilgrims expected to take part this year.

Muslim pilgrims arrive at the Mina tent camp during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Pic: AP
Image: Many pilgrims used umbrellas to protect them from the sun. Pic: AP
Muslim pilgrims arrive at the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj . Pic: AP
Image: This year's Hajj fell during Saudi Araba's scorching summer. Pic: AP

It also came against the backdrop of the devastating Israel-Hamas war, which has pushed the Middle East to the brink of a regional conflict.

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were not able to travel to Mecca this year because of the closure of the Rafah crossing in May when Israel extended its ground offensive to the city on the border with Egypt.

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