The Ministry of Religious Affairs reported on Thursday that at least 35 Pakistanis had died while doing the Hajj this year as a result of severe weather.
More than 1,000 people have died during this year’s hajj, according to an AFP count released on Thursday. The majority of these victims were unregistered pilgrims who underwent the arduous journey in sweltering heat.
Iraq, Iran, Senegal, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Jordan, Indonesia, and Tunisia have all recorded fatalities.
As of 4 p.m. on June 18, 35 Pakistani deaths have been recorded, including 20 in Makkah, 6 in Madina, 4 in Mina, 3 in Arafat, and 2 in Muzdalifah, according to Director General of Pakistan’s Haj Mission Abdul Wahab Soomro.
“This was a tough Hajj because of the 50°C temperature,” the official stated.
Additionally, Soomro denied rumors on social media that the pilgrims were left “helpless”. Every time there is a fatality, we verify the facts provided by the Saudi authorities with our own eyes. We have information.”
According to Saudi government regulations, the ministry also stated that they must obtain authorization for burial from the family’s heirs.
“After bathing [the body], funeral prayers are offered here and burial takes place in Saudi Arabia.” The body is scheduled to be sent to Pakistan, it added, should the family choose to have it returned.
Fearing the worst, friends and family of missing Hajj pilgrims are reportedly scouring hospitals and appealing online for information.
As one of the five pillars of Islam, everyone who has the means to do so must do the Hajj at least once.
Its timing is set by the Islamic lunar calendar, which causes the Gregorian calendar to advance annually.
The hot Saudi summer has coincided with the majority of the outdoor ceremonies over the previous few years.
