Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – A senior Saudi official has defended the kingdom’s management of the Hajj pilgrimage, despite the reported deaths of over 1,100 pilgrims.
The deaths, which occurred between June 14 and 19, 2024, were largely attributed to extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius).
According to reports, at least 2,764 cases of heat-related illnesses were reported during the pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and a mandatory religious duty for Muslims.
The incident is the second-deadliest Hajj in modern history, with the deadliest being the 1989 stampede that killed over 2,400 pilgrims.
The Saudi official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the deaths to the extreme weather conditions and the large number of pilgrims, which exceeded 2 million this year.
“We took all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims, but unfortunately, the heat was unbearable,” the official said.
Despite the official’s defense, many have criticized the Saudi government’s handling of the pilgrimage, citing inadequate infrastructure and lack of preparedness.
“The Saudi government should have done more to prevent these deaths,” said Dr. Ahmed Abdullah, a pilgrim from Egypt. “They should have provided more shade, water, and medical facilities to cater to the large number of pilgrims.”
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and grief across the Muslim world, with many calling for an investigation into the deaths.
“We demand a thorough investigation into the deaths of our loved ones,” said Mohammed Ali, a pilgrim from Pakistan. “We want to know what went wrong and who is responsible.”
The Saudi government has announced an investigation into the incident and has promised to take measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims,” said the Saudi official. “We will learn from this incident and make necessary improvements to our infrastructure and emergency response systems.”
As the Muslim world mourns the loss of over 1,100 pilgrims, questions remain unanswered about the Saudi government’s handling of the Hajj pilgrimage.
While the official defended the kingdom’s management, many are left wondering what could have been done to prevent these tragic deaths.
