Health Ministry Confirms 1,301 Hajj Deaths from Heat

The Saudi Ministry of Health confirmed that 1,301 pilgrims died during the 1445 AH (2024) Hajj season, with the deaths primarily attributed to heat stress amid extreme temperatures at the holy sites near Makkah. The Ministry said it continues to treat both authorized and unauthorized pilgrims suffering from heat-related conditions, with a number of cases still under care in hospitals and field facilities.

about 83% of the 1,301 fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who had walked long distances without adequate shelter or rest. Most of the victims were elderly or people with chronic illnesses, and many had been exposed to the sun for prolonged periods while performing rituals. During the same season, around 141,000 unauthorized pilgrims received free medical treatment through Saudi health services.

Expanded prevention measures

Health authorities have significantly expanded their response in recent seasons. Measures include deploying more than 34 field units with designated beds near the holy sites, establishing specialized centers for heat stress and sunstroke in Makkah, and issuing multilingual preventive guidelines through the Hajj Health Awareness Kit. These advise pilgrims to use umbrellas, hydrate frequently, avoid the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and rest between rituals.

Long-term data show heat stroke cases have fallen by about 74.6% and related fatalities by about 47.6% in recent years, despite an average temperature rise of roughly 0.4°C In Hajj 1446 AH (2025), heat-exhaustion cases dropped about 90% compared with the previous year, linked to expanded shading, misting, cooling systems, and digital surveillance tools.

For the wider community, the figures highlight the serious risks of performing Hajj without official authorization or proper preparation. Emergency and Hajj-related care for pilgrims is provided without attached fees, and health officials continue to urge full compliance with preventive guidance to reduce heat-related harm.

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