Egypt’s death toll from the Haj pilgrimage is rising, according to sources

As the intense heat strikes the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, at least 530 Egyptians have died while participating in the haj, and an additional 31 are reported missing, medical and security sources told Reuters on Thursday.

In the last few days, hundreds of individuals from many nations have perished in the Saudi Arabian city’s oppressive heat, which has occasionally reached temperatures beyond 51 degrees Celsius (124 Fahrenheit).

According to the medical source accompanying the official Egyptian haj delegation, most of the deceased were not officially registered with the authorities for the event, which prevented them from entering tents.

According to a Reuters witness, throngs of pilgrims lay in the sun on the streets while doing one of the essential pilgrimage rituals: climbing Mount Arafat.

According to the witness, the pilgrims’ bodies were subsequently covered with ihram cloth, a basic garment used by pilgrims, until rescue vehicles could come.

The haj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is the most important example of Islamic faith and unity and is required of every capable Muslim who can afford it once in their lifetime. The celebration, which started last Friday, is anticipated to bring in up to two million pilgrims this year.

Although heat-related deaths along the haj are not new—they have been documented dating back to the 1400s—climate experts have stated that rising temperatures represent an increasing threat to the event.

The number of deaths has not been confirmed by Egyptian officials.

The emigration and foreign ministries have declared that they are working with Saudi officials to investigate reports of casualties and to track down missing Egyptians.