The annual pilgrimage to Meccacalled “hach”, which was marked this year by the high temperatures that touched the 52 degrees, left more than 900 pilgrims dead according to a compilation made this Saturday from various sources.
According to what he told the news agency EFE an anonymous source, Egypt continues to be the most affected country with at least 325 deathsthe majority for heat strokealthough the government of the Arab country recognized only 28 that belong to its official delegation of more than 50,000 people.
In that sense, he admitted that it is being difficult for him to collect data from all his nationals since a large number traveled to carry out the ritual, which ended last Wednesday, irregularly, in reference to the fact that they were not included in the quotas of marked people. by Saudi Arabia for each country and who travel on official missions.
Promise of punishment for “irregular trips”
Egypt formed a crisis cell to clarify the situation, headed by the country’s prime minister, Mostafa Madbuli. This Saturday they met without further details being known at the moment.
Both Egypt and Jordan, which recorded at least 75 deaths, blamed “individuals and agencies” for facilitating these trips irregularly. and they promised punishment against them.
Meanwhile, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry acknowledged that its pilgrims died from the “extreme heat.”
Saudi Arabia celebrated the “successful” day
Saudi Arabia issues visas for the pilgrimage and each countrywhich offers data on deaths among pilgrims, has an official delegation with permits.
In any case, as a result of the high price of this trip –It costs approximately $5,000 per person.– many choose other routes that the Saudi kingdom considers illegal.
Faithful who traveled unofficially, for example with a tourist visa, did not have access to air-conditioned facilities and tents during the pilgrimage. For this reason, their only refuges were the streets of the holiest city in Islam from the extreme heat.
The Saudi kingdom, which celebrated the “success” of the pilgrimage and that spends millions of dollars to accommodate the faithful, has not expressed data until now in light of the information about the dead.
Egypt and Indonesia, the countries with the highest number of victims
After Egypt, which reported at least 325 deaths, the second most affected country is Indonesiawith about 200 dead, followed by the Indiawith 98; Malaysia34, and Bangladeshwith 31.
Morocco announced at least 20 deaths, while the Kurdistan Government of Iraq reported 19 deaths during the pilgrimage.
Other countries like Iran, Libya, Holland, the United States or Syria They also announced deaths.
In the government of Tunisia, which documented 49 deaths, claimed the first political victim. The country’s president, Kais Said, dismissed the Minister of Religious Affairs, Ibrahim al Shaibi, this Friday.
In the vast majority of the communications, the causes of the death of these faithful are not indicated and The number could increase in the coming days.
