Over 1,300 Pilgrims Perish In Hajj Amid Sweltering Heat

Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun as they arrive to cast stones at pillars in the symbolic stoning of the devil, the last rite of the annual hajj, in Mina, near the holy

During this year's Hajj pilgrimage, tragedy struck as more than 1,300 pilgrims lost their lives due to the scorching heat, according to the Saudi health minister. The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, draws millions of Muslims from around the world to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

The extreme temperatures experienced during the pilgrimage posed a significant health risk to the participants. The Saudi health minister's announcement of the death toll highlights the challenges faced by authorities in ensuring the safety and well-being of the pilgrims.