Dubai CNN —Dozens of people have died and thousands have been treated for heatstroke while performing the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca amid extreme temperatures of up to 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).
At least 41 Jordanians, 35 Tunisians and 11 Iranians are among the dead, according to authorities in each country.
Additionally, the governments are only aware of pilgrims who have registered and traveled to Mecca as part of their country’s quota – more deaths are feared among unregistered pilgrims.
While deaths among pilgrims are not uncommon (there were more than 200 last year), this year’s gathering is being held amid particularly high temperatures.
On Monday, Saudi Arabia advised pilgrims against performing the ‘stoning of the devil’ ritual between certain hours after temperatures reached an extreme 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).
Persons:
Handi Alkhshali
Organizations:
Dubai CNN, Crescent, Saudi, Saudi General Authority, Statistics
Locations:
Dubai, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kingdom