By Kiptoo Hildah
14 Jordanian and 5 Iranian pilgrims have been confirmed dead as 17 reported missing. The cause of the death of the 14 pilgrims was due to the extreme heat causing sunstroke to the pilgrims this is according to the Jordan foreign ministry.
“14 Jordanian pilgrims died and 17 others were missing during the performance of hajj rituals. The nationals had died after suffering sun stroke due to the extreme heat wave”, said Jordan’s foreign ministry.
“Five Iranian pilgrims have lost their lives so far in Mecca and Medina during the hajj this year”, Iranian Red Crescent chief Pirhossein Koolivand separately said.
“The expected climate for Hajj this year will witness an increase in average temperatures of 1.5 to 2 degrees [Celsius] above normal in Mecca and Medina,” Warned the head of the Saudi National Meteorology Centre, Ayman Ghulam, last week.
Treatment centres near Mount Arafat have now reported over 255 cases of heat stress as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
“2760 pilgrims further struggled with the sun stroke and heat wave as on Sunday alone”, Mohammed Al-Abdulaali, a spokesperson for the Saudi health ministry.
The ministry of foreign affairs in Jordan has assured the kingdom of communication with the Saudi Arabian authorities to ensure the bodies of the deceased are transported for burial as the 17 pilgrims are still on search.
Over the past 30 years, the Hajj pilgrimage has been associated with stampedes, tent fires, and heat waves. As per last year’s pilgrimage, more than 10,000 heat-related illnesses were recorded as 240 pilgrims died with the cause of their death unknown.
The worst Hajj disaster was recorded in 2025 when 2000 pilgrims died in a stampede.
Hajj one of the five pillars of Islam is one of the biggest religious gatherings which has been attended by over 1.8 Million pilgrims this year.
The Saudi Arabian health ministry has given an advisory to all pilgrims and residents to stay hydrated and stay indoors between 10:00 – 16:00.