(VOVWORLD) -Saudi Arabia warned of a temperature spike in Mecca as Muslim pilgrims wrapped up their annual hajj in searing conditions on Monday, with over a dozen heat-related deaths confirmed.
 Muslim pilgrims are tired of the heat spike in Mecca, June 16, 2024. (Photo: AFP) |
On Sunday the Saudi health ministry announced 2,800 cases of heat exhaustion due to people failing to take shelter from the sun in the afternoon as it advised.
Officials have warned people not to go outdoors at peak times unless absolutely necessary, to drink water regularly, and to use an umbrella to minimize sun exposure.
On Monday Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 14 Jordanian pilgrims had died from heatstroke and 17 people were missing. Iran reported the deaths of 5 pilgrims, while Senegal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said three Senegal citizens had died while participating in the hajj.
Despite the intense heat, 1.8 million Muslims have travelled to Mecca since Friday. Pilgrims gathered in Mina, near Mecca, on Monday to perform the ritual of stoning the devil, marking the final days of the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.