Severe heat wreaks havoc in Saudi, thousands lose their lives
Severe heat wreaks havoc in Saudi, thousands lose their lives
Severe heat is prevailing in Mecca city of Saudi Arabia. This heat has taken the lives of more than 1300 Haj pilgrims so far this year. These include a large number of Indian Haj pilgrims who had left for Saudi Arabia for Haj some time ago.
Total 1301 people dead so far
Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel said on Sunday that a total of 1,301 people have died so far during the Haj pilgrimage this year. State television quoted the minister as saying that the Haj pilgrims died due to ‘traveling long distances in direct sunlight without adequate shelter or rest’.
Many elderly people and those suffering from chronic diseases are also among those who died. He said that about 83 percent of the deaths have occurred in those who were not authorized to perform the pilgrimage. This year the heat in Mecca has crossed 50 degrees Celsius, which is no less than a disaster for the Haj pilgrims.
98 Indians lost their lives
The Indian Foreign Ministry on Friday informed that 98 Indians have lost their lives during the Haj pilgrimage this year. The Foreign Ministry has said that the cause of death of all these people was illness and old age.
