At least 14 Jordanians have died and 17 are missing during the ongoing Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, authorities have said.
Jordan is working with Saudi Arabia to arrange for burials and the transportation of relatives, according to the country’s foreign ministry.
It comes a day after a number of pilgrims were reported to have died from heat stroke, with temperatures soaring to 48C (118F) in the open.
Pic:AP
Security forces and medics were deployed to help those who collapsed, while water was sprayed to try and help keep people cool.
In previous years, hundreds died in crushes, but safety has since been improved.
All Muslims are required to make the Hajj once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so.
Many wealthy Muslims make the pilgrimage more than once.
More than 1.8 million Muslims performed Hajj in 2024, according to Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan al Rabiah said.
Most of the Hajj rituals are held outdoors with little if any shade.
This year’s five-day pilgrimage fell during Saudi’s scorching summer.
Many pilgrims used umbrellas to protect them from the sun. Pic: AP
This year’s Hajj fell during Saudi Araba’s scorching summer. Pic: AP
Many pilgrims carried umbrellas to protect them against the blistering sun.
It also came against the backdrop of the devastating Israel-Hamas war, which has pushed the Middle East to the brink of a regional conflict.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were not able to travel to Mecca this year because of the closure of the Rafah crossing in May when Israel extended its ground offensive to the city on the border with Egypt.