Hajj: 19 pilgrims die, several missing as extreme temperature hinders ‘stoning of devil’ rite

No fewer than 19 pilgrims have died and several others reported missing due to extreme temperatures that crippled hajj rituals at the sacred city of Muna, Saudi Arabia.

Besides, the Saudi Arabia authorities had declared a five hours movement restriction at Muna, to reduce the impact of devastating weather conditions that escalated to above 46 degree celsius on Monday.

Jordan’s foreign ministry on Monday confirmed that a significant percent of her citizens on pilgrimage were part of those who lost their lives, occasioned by intense heat at Muna, where millions are presently residing to complete the stoning of the devil, an event among the mandatory rites.

Worried by the impact of the increased temperature, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah directed pilgrims to remain under their cooling camp between the hours of 11am and 4pm Monday.

Critical among the health implications of the high temperature are heatstroke, sudden collapse, and death, NAHCON warned.

A notice from Saudi authorities read, “By the directives of His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, and to ensure the well-being of pilgrims amidst high temperatures and to prevent heat stress, the following measures have been implemented:

“A new health guideline from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, prohibited pilgrims from proceeding to Jamarat Bridge for the ritual of throwing stones from 11 am to 4 pm.”

The notice added that security personnel will be stationed at camps to enforce this restriction and prevent any pilgrim from departing before 4 pm.

“The Office of Hajj Affairs and service providers are tasked with ensuring compliance, and they will bear responsibility for any violations thereof. We pray for Allah’s protection over the pilgrims and the acceptance of their Hajj,”the notice read.

Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) warned Nigerian pilgrims to avoid unnecessary exposure to the heat weather already predicted to hit 50 degree celsius at Muna, one of the sacred sites where pilgrims cast pebbles against devils.

Prior to the hajj exercise, about three Nigeria pilgrims were confirmed dead and one missing as the rituals enter the final stage.

Pilgrims would begin onward return to Makkah on Tuesday after completing their stone pelting at Muna and subsequently terminate the exercise with circumambulation of holy Kaaba.