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fullscreen Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas as protection from the sun and heat during the hajj. The picture was taken on Tuesday. Photo: Rafiq Maqbool/AP/TT
Saudi Arabia is defending its handling of the Muslim Hajj pilgrimage, after several countries reported a total of more than 1,100 deaths – many of them from heatstroke.
– The state did not fail, but people made misjudgments and did not realize the risks, says a high-ranking official representing the Saudi government.
The official states that the government has been able to confirm 577 deaths during the two busiest days of the pilgrimage.
– This occurred in difficult weather conditions and a very high temperature, says the representative and admits that the figure is incomplete and does not cover the entire hajj.
Over 1.8 million people attended this year’s edition of the religious gathering, which concluded on Wednesday.
The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, which form the basis of the religion. All healthy Muslims who can afford it are expected to make the trip to Mecca in western Saudi Arabia at least once in their lifetime.