Saudi authorities raise the death toll in this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca to 1,301

June 23. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Minister of Health of Saudi Arabia, Fahd al Yalayel, reported this Sunday that the deaths of a total of 1,301 people have been recorded during the pilgrimage season to Mecca and the holy places of Islam, mainly due to high temperatures. .

Al Yalayel highlighted that 83 percent of those who died had not received official authorization to carry out the pilgrimage and explained that many of them took long walks on foot, under the sun, without any type of protection or rest. Some of them were elderly people who suffered from chronic illnesses, according to the news portal Ajbar24.

The minister explained that the deceased have been identified and the next of kin have been informed, although he has warned that the process may take time, since many do not carry any type of identification. The bodies have been buried according to custom in Mecca and a death certificate has been issued.

The Saudi health system has provided more than 465,000 specialized services, 141,000 of them to unauthorized pilgrims, and in many cases for heat-related conditions, the minister said in an interview with Saudi television Al Ijbariya. Many of them remain hospitalized, according to Al Yalayel, who has highlighted the work of health personnel and security forces.

However, he highlighted the absence of epidemics and transmitted diseases among pilgrims.

Al Yalayel has highlighted that in 95 cases patients without authorization for the pilgrimage have been transferred to Riyadh and other cities to receive free medical care.

Among the health services provided there have been open heart operations, cardiac catheterizations, dialysis, and emergency care.

The minister highlighted that health care begins even before the start of the pilgrimage trip, since more than 1.3 million preventive services for early detection of diseases, vaccination and awareness programs have been provided.

This same Sunday, the Saudi monarch, Salmán bin Abdulaziz al Saud, and his son and crown prince, Mohamed bin Salmán, congratulated the authorities on the “success” of the pilgrimage season. The monarch mentions government, regional and local authorities, as well as civil organizations.

“We value your congratulations on the Feast of Sacrifice and the success achieved in the pilgrimage season by the grace of Allah the Almighty and the efforts to serve the pilgrims under the supervision and guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman” , noted the crown prince and ‘de facto’ ruler of the country.