Amid scorching temperatures reaching 51.8°C in Makkah, the annual Hajj pilgrimage has turned tragic for hundreds of pilgrims, with the death toll surpassing 900. Friends and family members are frantically searching for missing pilgrims, including Mabrouka bint Salem Shushana and Ghada Mahmoud Ahmed Dawood, as concerns grow for the well-being of the 1.8 million participants, many of whom are elderly.
Most of the fatalities, totaling 600, have been reported among Egyptian pilgrims, primarily due to heat-related conditions. The extreme temperatures, exacerbated by climate change, have intensified the risks during the Hajj rituals, which are a central pillar of Islam.
Despite reports of numerous cases of heat exhaustion, Saudi authorities have not confirmed the overall number of fatalities, prompting widespread appeals for information on social media. The situation highlights the challenges posed by rising temperatures and underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures during the pilgrimage.
