98 Indians Died During Hajj, Fatalities Due To Natural Causes, Chronic Illnesses: MEA

Saudi Arabia Hajj Deaths: The MEA statement comes a day after reports stated that more than 1,000 pilgrims from 10 countries died during the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. 

Saudi Arabia Hajj Deaths: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said that 98 Indian nationals have died during the Hajj due to natural causes, chronic illnesses, and old age. 

The MEA statement comes a day after reports stated that more than 1,000 pilgrims from 10 countries died during the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. 

It said that 1.75 lakh Indian pilgrims went to Mecca for Hajj between May and July. 

"Every year large number of pilgrims from India attend Haj, and some of them unfortunately pass away during the Haj Period. This year, 175000 Indian pilgrims visited Makkah for Haj. The Haj period is from May 9 to July 22. This year, till now, 98 deaths have been reported," the MEA statement said.

Last year, 187 Indians were reported dead during the pilgrimage season in the West Asian country.

"The deaths have been due to natural causes, chronic illnesses, and old age. Six people died on the Day of Arafat and 4 were accident-related deaths. Last year, total deaths in the entire Haj period were 187," it added.

An AFP report on Thursday said that 1,081 deaths occurred among nationals from 10 countries who came to Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam which all the Muslims have to complete at least once.

Meanwhile, thousands of people are also being treated for heatstroke as temperatures soared to 49 degrees Celsius in Mecca. The deaths were reported among nationals from Jordan, Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, Pakistan and Tunisia.

According to a rapid analysis by an independent group of climate scientists and researchers, climate change intensified the deadly heatwave that claimed the lives of at least 550 Haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, making it 2.5 degrees Celsius warmer.

Large parts of the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East have endured extreme temperatures over the past few weeks. Media reports said that at least 550 pilgrims died during the annual Haj pilgrimage, which began on Friday, with temperatures at Mecca's Grand Mosque reaching a scorching 51.8 degrees Celsius.