1,547 Dead During 2024 Hajj Pilgrimage: Egypt Reports Highest Number of Fatalities Amidst Unauthorized Entries and Extreme Heat

Mecca, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
At least 1,547 people have died during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
Egypt reported the highest number of fatalities with 630 deaths.
Many deaths were caused by extreme heat reaching temperatures up to 123 degrees Fahrenheit (50.6 degrees Celsius).
Several travel agencies and Hajj trip operators sold Saudi tourist visas to Egyptian pilgrims, violating regulations.
Unregistered pilgrims who entered Saudi Arabia through illegal channels accounted for many of the deaths.
1,547 Dead During 2024 Hajj Pilgrimage: Egypt Reports Highest Number of Fatalities Amidst Unauthorized Entries and Extreme Heat

During the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, at least 1,547 people have died as of June 23, 2024. The deaths were reported by various sources including AFP and AP news agencies. The cause of death for many was attributed to extreme heat reaching temperatures of up to 123 degrees Fahrenheit (50.6 degrees Celsius).

The pilgrimage, one of Islam's five pillars, is a requirement for all able-bodied Muslims and involves traveling to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The faithful perform various rituals including circling the Kaaba seven times and standing in prayer at the plain of Arafat.

Egypt reported the highest number of fatalities with 630 deaths, mostly among unregistered pilgrims who entered Saudi Arabia through illegal channels. Some travel agencies and Hajj trip operators were found to have sold Saudi tourist visas to Egyptian pilgrims, violating regulations requiring exclusive visas for pilgrims.

The Egyptian government revoked the licenses of 16 travel agencies involved in facilitating unauthorized pilgrimages. The governments of Indonesia, India, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Malaysia and the United States also reported deaths among their nationals.

Despite the high death toll and extreme heat conditions during this year's Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia has not yet released an official statement on the matter.

The exact cause of death for some pilgrims is still unclear as many died before reaching Mecca or in the early stages of their journey. The number of deaths is expected to rise as each country continues to announce the deaths of their nationals.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • The exact cause of death for some pilgrims is still unclear.
  • The number of deaths is expected to rise as each country continues to announce the deaths of their nationals.

Sources

93%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Over 1,000 pilgrims died during this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, officials say

The Associated Press News Sunday, 23 June 2024 08:25
  • Unique Points
    • Egypt revoked the licenses of 16 travel agencies for facilitating unauthorized pilgrims to Saudi Arabia
    • At least 630 Egyptians died during the pilgrimage, mostly at the Emergency Complex in Mecca’s Al-Muaisem neighborhood
    • Some travel agencies and Hajj trip operators sold Saudi tourist visas to Egyptian pilgrims, violating regulations requiring exclusive visas for pilgrims
  • Accuracy
    • More than 1,000 people died during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
    • Over half of the fatalities were from Egypt
    • At least 630 Egyptians died during the pilgrimage
    • Some travel agencies and Hajj trip operators sold Saudi tourist visas to Egyptian pilgrims
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several instances of appeals to authority and dichotomous depictions. The author relies on unnamed Egyptian officials for information about the number of deaths and the countries of origin of the deceased pilgrims. This is an appeal to authority as the credibility of these officials is not established, and their statements are taken at face value without any verification or corroboration. Additionally, there are several instances where dichotomous depictions are used to describe the situation, such as 'authorized pilgrims' versus 'unauthorized pilgrims', and 'adequate services' versus 'illegal facilitation of travel'. These dichotomies oversimplify complex situations and can be misleading.
    • More than half of the fatalities were people from Egypt, according to two officials in Cairo.
    • Saudi Arabia has not commented on the deaths during the pilgrimage, which is required of every able Muslim once in their life.
    • The government also said officials from the companies have been referred to the public prosecutor for investigations.
    • Some travel agencies and Hajj trip operators sold Saudi tourist visas to Egyptian Hajj hopefuls, violating Saudi regulations which require exclusive visas for pilgrims.
  • Bias (95%)
    The article reports on the deaths of over 1,000 pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. While not directly stating bias, the article does mention that most of the dead were from Egypt and that Egyptian travel agencies had their licenses revoked for facilitating unauthorized pilgrims. The article also mentions that many of these unauthorized pilgrims had no hotels to escape from the extreme heat, unlike authorized pilgrims. This implies a criticism towards these travel agencies and suggests a potential bias against them. Additionally, the article states that Saudi authorities cracked down on unauthorized pilgrims but does not mention any actions taken against authorized ones, which could be seen as an implicit bias in favor of the official response.
    • At least 630 other Egyptians died during the pilgrimage, with most reported at the Emergency Complex in Mecca’s Al-Muaisem neighborhood.
      • Saudi authorities cracked down on unauthorized pilgrims, expelling tens of thousands of people. But many, mostly Egyptians, managed to reach holy sites in and around Mecca, some on foot.
        • The government also said officials from the companies have been referred to the public prosecutor for investigations.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        96%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Death toll tops 1,000 after hajj marked by extreme heat reaching temperatures of 123 degrees Fahrenheit

        USA Today Sunday, 23 June 2024 00:00
        • Unique Points
          • The death toll from this year's hajj has exceeded 1,000.
          • The hajj was marked by extreme heat with temperatures reaching 123 degrees Fahrenheit.
        • Accuracy
          • More than half of the deceased were unregistered worshippers.
          • Daily high temperatures in Mecca during the Hajj period ranged between 46 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) and 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit)
          • At least 630 Egyptians died during the pilgrimage, mostly at the Emergency Complex in Mecca’s Al-Muaisem neighborhood
          • Indonesian pilgrim Ahmed saw many people dying from heat along the way home, no health workers or ambulances in sight
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        93%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Egypt to revoke licenses from Hajj tourism companies over illegal pilgrimages amid reports of hundreds of deaths

        CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Zahid Mahmood Sunday, 23 June 2024 15:08
        • Unique Points
          • Egyptian government will revoke licenses of 16 Hajj tourism companies for making illegal pilgrimages to Mecca
          • Reports suggest hundreds of Egyptians may have died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage
          • Some operators did not issue correct visas, leaving tourists stranded and forced to enter through desert paths on foot
        • Accuracy
          • 16 Hajj tourism companies revoked for making illegal pilgrimages to Mecca
          • Companies failed to provide proper accommodation, exposing tourists to extreme heat
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The article contains inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. It also presents a dichotomous depiction of Hajj tourism companies.
          • . . . it is being reported by Reuters news agency and other outlets that as many as 500 to 600 Egyptians died during the pilgrimage.
          • In the meeting, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly offered his “ sincere condolences and sympathy ” to the families of the deceased pilgrims committing to providing them with the necessary support.
          • The exact death toll for the total number of deaths in this year’s Hajj remains unclear and the number is expected to rise as each country has been independently announcing the deaths of their nationals.
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        91%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Hundreds of Hajj Pilgrims Reported Dead Amid Extreme Heat

        The Name Of The NZ Prefix. I PWA NZI.P.Was Dropped. Emad Mekay, Friday, 21 June 2024 20:46
        • Unique Points
          • At least 450 people died during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
          • Many pilgrims passed out and required medical care
        • Accuracy
          • At least 630 Egyptians died during the pilgrimage
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication