Muslims take part in a special early morning prayer at the Grand Mosque complex in Mecca, on June 6, 2025. (Credit: AFP)
At least 13 Iranian pilgrims have died during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, where temperatures have surged in recent days, an Iranian state media outlet reported on Saturday.
“As of June 6, the total number of Iranian pilgrims who died during the 2025 Hajj stands at 13,” said the health and medical operations unit of the Iranian Red Crescent in a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency. No details were provided regarding the causes of death, but the source noted that “in recent days, temperatures in the holy cities of Saudi Arabia have reached 47°C (116.6°F), which can cause severe heatstroke among pilgrims.”
The number of medical consultations for Iranian pilgrims at Red Crescent centers in Medina and Mecca, in the western part of the kingdom, has reached 138,900, according to IRNA. This year, 86,700 Iranians took part in the major pilgrimage to Mecca and its surroundings, which has just concluded.
In 2024, more than 1,300 pilgrims — including 22 Iranians — died during the Hajj, as temperatures approached 52°C (125.6°F), according to authorities. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. The deaths that occurred last year illustrate the vulnerability of worshippers to these extreme conditions.
The year 2024 was the hottest ever recorded, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
At least 13 Iranian pilgrims have died during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, where temperatures have surged in recent days, an Iranian state media outlet reported on Saturday.“As of June 6, the total number of Iranian pilgrims who died during the 2025 Hajj stands at 13,” said the health and medical operations unit of the Iranian Red Crescent in a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency. No details were provided regarding the causes of death, but the source noted that “in recent days, temperatures in the holy cities of Saudi Arabia have reached 47°C (116.6°F), which can cause severe heatstroke among pilgrims.”The number of medical consultations for Iranian pilgrims at Red Crescent centers in Medina and Mecca, in the western part of the kingdom, has reached 138,900, according to IRNA. This...
Rubio condemns Iran's 'outrageous' attacks on Kuwait