At least 550 people died due to heat during Hajj pilgrimage

According to two Arab diplomats coordinating relief efforts for the pilgrims, 323 of the victims were Egyptians. Most of the Egyptian deaths were caused by heatstroke, with only one person dying from multiple injuries after being crushed in the crowd.

In addition, authorities have also recorded at least 60 Jordanian citizens dying during this year's pilgrimage season, an increase of nearly 20 people from the number announced by the Jordanian government a day earlier.

Saudi Arabian authorities estimate that about 1.8 million pilgrims will travel to Mecca for the Hajj this year, including 1.6 million from abroad. The Hajj is one of the world's largest pilgrimages and the fifth pillar of Islam. The pilgrimage is considered a religious duty that all adult Muslims must perform at least once in their lifetime, if they are physically and financially able. It is a demonstration of Muslim unity and a sign of submission to God.

Incidents such as stampedes, tent fires, heat waves and other factors have killed hundreds of people during the pilgrimage to Mecca over the past 30 years. Meanwhile, scientific reports show that this activity is also being affected by climate change. Temperatures have been above 40 degrees Celsius for many pilgrimage seasons. However, this year's pilgrimage in Mecca took place in even harsher weather, reaching 47 degrees Celsius on June 16 and exceeding 50 degrees Celsius on June 17. The temperature at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on June 17 was 51.8 degrees Celsius.