The extreme heat in Mecca has led to severe health issues for many pilgrims, including heatstroke fatalities. The temperature soared to 47°C (116.6°F) on Sunday and was forecast to continue on Monday. Amid these harsh conditions, a Nigerian pilgrim collapsed and died while en route to Jamrat to perform the ritual of throwing stones, as confirmed by Dr. Abubakar Adamu, head of Nigeria’s Medical Team for the 2024 Hajj.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had imposed restrictions on pilgrims from performing the stoning ritual between 11 am and 4 pm due to the excessive heat. Despite these precautions, the intense heat has continued to pose significant health risks. Dr. Adamu emphasized the importance of using umbrellas, seeking shade, and staying hydrated to prevent heatstroke.
Similarly, the Assistant Director of Public Affairs, NAHCON, Fatima Usara, highlighted the commission’s efforts to educate pilgrims on the dangers of sun exposure and the necessity of adhering to health advisories. This comes in the wake of reports of multiple deaths due to heatstroke among Jordanian and Iranian pilgrims. Jordan’s foreign ministry reported 14 deaths and 17 missing pilgrims, while five Iranian pilgrims have also died.
Saudi health ministry spokesperson Mohammed Al-Abdulaali reported that over 2,760 pilgrims suffered from sunstroke and heat stress on Sunday alone, underscoring the severe impact of the extreme temperatures on those performing the Hajj pilgrimage.