<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/19/hajj-heat-deaths-missing-pilgrims-search-saudi-arabia>
"Friends and family of missing hajj pilgrims have been searching hospitals and
pleading online for news, fearing the worst after hundreds died during the
annual rites in Saudi Arabia.
Arab diplomats on Tuesday told
Agence France-Presse at least 550 pilgrims had
died this year, the majority due to heat-related illnesses after temperatures
reached 51.8C (125F) in Mecca, Islam’s holiest city.
The total number of people reported dead so far is 645, according to an
AFP
tally of figures released by various countries. About 1.8 million people
attended the pilgrimage.
The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims with the means
must complete it at least once. Its timing is determined by the Islamic lunar
calendar, shifting forward each year in the Gregorian calendar.
For the past few years, the mainly outdoor rituals have taken place during the
sweltering Saudi summer. According to a Saudi study published last month,
temperatures in the area are rising 0.4C (0.72F) each decade.
Human-caused climate breakdown is making every heatwave in the world more
intense and more likely to happen."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
