A heatwave in Saudi Arabia has led to the rescheduling of the stoning rite to the evening to protect pilgrims. Around 3,000 pilgrims were affected by heat strokes and exhaustion during their journeys to and from the Jamarat for the stoning rite, resulting in the death of an unspecified number of individuals.
Pilgrims from Nigeria and Africa were reportedly the least affected. Local hospitals were overwhelmed, with emergency services struggling to respond promptly. Al-Shalhoub, head of the Emergency Unit at the Saudi Ministry of Health, reported that the 911 center in the Makkah region received 78,872 calls on Sunday alone.
Temperatures reached 47-48 degrees Celsius and are expected to rise further. Pilgrims located at the end of Mina face a 2.8-kilometer walk, taking about 90-105 minutes to reach Jamarat. One pilgrim described witnessing many individuals collapsing from the heat, particularly the elderly and young non-Arabs, Europeans, and Indians. Emergency services were overwhelmed with cases of heat-related illnesses.
The Saudi Ministry of Health confirmed that 2,764 pilgrims were affected by heat strokes and exhaustion on Sunday, attributing the incidents to non-adherence to guidelines for hydration and sun protection. The ministry emphasized the importance of resting and spacing out rituals to avoid physical stress.
In response, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has banned pilgrims from performing the stoning ritual between 11 am and 4 pm. Security personnel will enforce this restriction to prevent any pilgrim from departing before 4 pm. The directive aims to ensure the well-being of pilgrims amidst the high temperatures.
To mitigate the effects of the heat, Saudi Arabia has implemented extensive cooling systems, including manual and automated water sprinklers along the Jamarat-Mina road. Pilgrims also use rechargeable and battery-powered neck and handheld fans, along with portable fans for personal cooling in crowded areas.
