Saudi Arabia: Deaths of over 1300 Muslim pilgrims during Hajj underscores failure of tourism cos. & Saudi authorities to protect people from extreme heat
Over 1300 Muslim pilgrims have died during the annual Hajj to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, amid exposure to dangerously high temperatures.
Human Rights Watch has underscored the need for the country to implement strong heat protections for vulnerable groups, emphasising the deleterious impacts of extreme heat exposure on health, including organ failure and death.
Unregistered pilgrims were particularly vulnerable as they did not have access to public facilities mitigating their exposure to the heat, such as water rehydration areas or air-conditioned tents.
Unregistered pilgrims were reportedly deprived access to public facilities like air-conditioned tents, misting centers, transportation, or water rehydration areas. High official Hajj costs are considered a primary factor driving unregistered status, with many tour companies sending pilgrims without Hajj permits on mandatory personal visit visas.Michael Page, Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa Division
Pilgrims were unregistered as many tourism companies sent pilgrims without permits. A Reuters article highlights how Egypt has since withdrawn licenses from 16 tourism companies and has referred them to the public prosecutor after alleging they failed to provide Egyptian pilgrims with adequate services, including medical services or appropriate accommodation. Around 530 Egyptian pilgrims are believed to have died.
Human Rights Watch also has noted Saudi authorities should implement heat protection measures to safeguard those at risk, as the climate crises increasingly exacerbates extreme temperatures. The article highlights the urgency of this call amid the country’s plan to hold large mega-events in sport and music under its "Vision 2030". Alongside pilgrims, Human Rights Watch says migrant workers are also particularly vulnerable, as these workers are carrying out outdoor work to construct large “giga-projects” in Saudi Arabia, such as NEOM city. Human Rights Watch says Saudi Arabia needs to do more to address heat, a “major public health risk”.