Fourteen Jordanians died during the hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The cause of death of some of them was heat stroke, reported the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The authorities warn against very high air temperatures.
The deaths of six of the 14 people were directly linked to the heat.
The hajj, which runs from Friday last week to Wednesday, June 19, is one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, with over 1.8 million people expected to participate this year. The goal of the pilgrimage is Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad.
Pilgrims gathered near MeccaPAP/EPA/STRINGER
Even 47 degrees
The Saudi Ministry of Health issued a high temperature warning on Thursday and urged pilgrims to hydrate frequently and avoid being outdoors during peak heat hours. A high of 47 degrees Celsius is possible in Mecca on Monday.
Over the last 30 years, panic attacks, tent fires, heatwaves and other incidents have caused hundreds of deaths during these pilgrimages, notes Reuters.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/STRINGER