Based on the Tunisian authorities, a minimum of 49 residents died in the course of the pilgrimage in Mecca. In Saudi Arabia, a high-ranking authorities official admitted the deaths of over 500 individuals.
The federal government consultant informed the AFP information company on Friday that 577 deaths have been recorded on two days of the Hajj alone. He was referring to the earlier Saturday, when the pilgrims climbed Mount Arafat, and the Sunday with the stoning of the satan. It was the primary assertion by the Saudi Arabian authorities on the tons of of deaths.
The federal government consultant in Riyadh harassed, nonetheless, that there had been no failure on the a part of the state. “The state didn’t fail, however there was a misjudgment on the a part of the individuals who didn’t accurately assess the dangers,” he harassed. There had been “tough climate situations and really harsh temperatures.” He additionally admitted that the variety of 577 fatalities was solely provisional and didn’t cowl all the interval of the multi-day pilgrimage.
Based on an AFP rely, a minimum of 1,126 individuals died in the course of the pilgrimage in temperatures of as much as 51.8 levels. Unofficially registered pilgrims accounted for greater than half of the deaths, and greater than half of the fatalities got here from Egypt. The figures come from official statements or from diplomats of the respective international locations.
No entry to chill rooms
Unregistered pilgrims have been significantly uncovered to the acute warmth. With out a license, they have been denied entry to cooled rooms arrange by the Saudi authorities for the 1.8 million authorised pilgrims to get better from hours of strolling and praying within the open air.
An official pilgrimage to Mecca is virtually unaffordable for a lot of Muslim believers. Nonetheless, in the event that they journey irregularly – which may save 1000’s of {dollars} – the pilgrims threat arrest and deportation. Earlier than this yr’s Hajj, the authorities stated they’d eliminated over 300,000 irregular pilgrims from Mecca. Based on the federal government consultant, many have been later allowed to enter.
Round 400,000 unregistered pilgrims
“We will estimate the variety of unregistered pilgrims at round 400,000,” he stated. Most of them got here from a selected nation, he added, apparently with Egypt in thoughts. Based on Arab diplomats, Egypt alone has suffered 658 deaths, 630 of whom have been unregistered pilgrims.
Many different international locations have additionally reported deaths. In Tunisia, the Minister of Faith was dismissed on Friday after the demise of 49 Tunisian pilgrims, the presidential workplace introduced in an announcement on the web community Fb with out offering additional particulars. On Friday, the US State Division additionally introduced the demise of “a number of” US residents in the course of the Hajj, with out offering additional particulars.
The five-day main occasion in Saudi Arabia is among the 5 pillars of Islam. The pilgrimage ought to be undertaken by each wholesome Muslim who can afford it a minimum of as soon as of their life. This yr’s Hajj ended on Wednesday.
