550 Lives Lost: The Tragic Consequences of Extreme Heat During the 2023 Hajj Pilgrimage

Mecca, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
At least 550 people have died during the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia due to extreme heat.
Climate change is expected to increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths during the Hajj due to rising temperatures in the region.
Mecca experienced temperatures above 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius) during the pilgrimage.
The exact number of deaths is expected to rise as many pilgrims were unregistered and not accounted for in official death tolls.
550 Lives Lost: The Tragic Consequences of Extreme Heat During the 2023 Hajj Pilgrimage

During the recent Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, hundreds of Muslim pilgrims lost their lives due to extreme heat. According to various sources, including leaked hospital lists and reports from witnesses, at least 550 people have been confirmed dead. The exact number is expected to rise as many pilgrims were unregistered and not accounted for in the official death tolls released by individual countries.

The Hajj is a religious journey that millions of Muslims are required to undertake at least once in their lifetime. It involves long distances of walking, physical exertion, and intense prayer. This year's pilgrimage took place during unusually high temperatures, with Mecca experiencing temperatures above 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius).

The extreme heat led to numerous collapses and deaths among the pilgrims. Some sources report that there were not enough medics or basic facilities to protect against heat-related illnesses, exacerbating the situation.

Despite the tragic events, stories of help and cooperation among Muslims emerged. For instance, a British imam and Hajj guide named Ather Hussain shared his experience of assisting pilgrims during this difficult time. He noted that everywhere he went, people were helping each other out in any way they could.

The heat wave during the Hajj is also a reminder of the climate threat facing the most vulnerable populations. According to reports from various scientific organizations, including the American Meteorological Society and Geophysical Research Letters, heat stress for Hajj pilgrims is expected to exceed 'extreme danger threshold' from 2047 to 2052 and 2079 to 2086. Climate change is expected to increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths during the Hajj due to rising temperatures in the region.

The Saudi authorities have approved a set number of pilgrim visas each year, leading some pilgrims to travel on tourism visas arranged by unlicensed operators. This can result in a lack of proper accommodations and services for these individuals, making them more vulnerable during extreme weather conditions like the one experienced during this year's Hajj.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Sources report that there were not enough medics or basic facilities to protect against heat-related illnesses, but I have not independently verified this claim.
  • The exact number of deaths may rise as many pilgrims were unregistered and not accounted for in official death tolls.

Sources

95%

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

‘They saved their whole lives for this’: American woman’s heartbreak as parents die on Hajj

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Pauline Lockwood, Saturday, 22 June 2024 23:42
  • Unique Points
    • American couple Isatu Tejan Wurie and Alieu Dausy Wurie died during Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
    • The tour company did not provide proper transportation or credentials for the pilgrims
    • Saida Wurie, their daughter, last heard from her parents on June 15 when they were on Mount Arafat
  • Accuracy
    • The Saudi Interior Ministry reported their deaths as natural causes due to heat stroke
    • Approximately 1,000 people died during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in June 2022.
  • 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

83%

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

‘Not enough medics’ to help pilgrims with heat, Hajj witnesses tell CNN as toll mounts

Entertainment Variety Tv Site: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv-site/ Xiaofei Xu Sunday, 23 June 2024 07:29
  • Unique Points
    • Two pilgrims reported not enough medics or basic facilities to protect against heat-related illnesses.
    • Governments only aware of registered pilgrims, more deaths among unregistered ones are feared.
  • Accuracy
    • Over 500 people have died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
    • Approximately 1,000 people died during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
    • Hundreds of pilgrims died during the Hajj pilgrimage due to extreme heat.
  • Deception (70%)
    The article contains quotes from two pilgrims who experienced the poor conditions during Hajj. While they provide firsthand accounts of the lack of medical support and water, the authors do not disclose any sources for these quotes or indicate whether they are speaking on behalf of the pilgrims or reporting their words verbatim. This could potentially be a case of selective reporting, as the authors focus on these quotes to emphasize the poor conditions without providing any context from other sources. Additionally, there is an emotional appeal in describing people passing out and bodies covered in white cloth, which could manipulate readers' emotions and sensationalize the situation.
    • Along the way home, I saw many pilgrims who died. Almost every few hundred meters, there was a body lying and covered with an ihrom cloth...
    • To me, it felt like there are too many people, there are not enough medics...
    • There were not enough medics or basic facilities to protect Hajj pilgrims from the effects of the sweltering heat...
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (80%)
    The authors use language that depicts the situation as extreme and unfortunate, but they do not demonstrate bias towards any particular side. However, they do quote witnesses who express frustration with the lack of medical support and resources for pilgrims during the Hajj event.
    • [Ahmad] told CNN he saw many people falling ill and even dying from the heat[...
      • [Ali] said, adding that people passing out came to be a regularity[...]
        • ]Two pilgrims recently returned from Hajj told CNN that[/...] there were not enough medics or basic facilities to protect Hajj pilgrims from the effects of the sweltering heat in Saudi Arabia last week[...]
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        76%

        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

        Hajj heat wave deaths underscore climate threat for most vulnerable

        The Fixing Site: A Summary of the Article. Susannah George, Sunday, 23 June 2024 06:00
        • Unique Points
          • Approximately 1,000 people died during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in June 2022.
          • Temperatures in Mecca reached over 125 degrees Fahrenheit during the pilgrimage.
          • More than half of the reported deaths were unregistered pilgrims, including over 600 people from Egypt alone.
          • Saudi Arabia approves a set number of pilgrim visas each year, leading some to travel on tourism visas arranged by unlicensed operators.
          • Climate change is expected to increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths during the Hajj due to rising temperatures in the region.
          • Heat stress for Hajj pilgrims is expected to exceed ‘extreme danger threshold’ from 2047 to 2052 and 2079 to 2086.
        • Accuracy
          • Over 500 people have died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
          • Hundreds of pilgrims died during the Hajj pilgrimage due to extreme heat.
        • Deception (30%)
          The article contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The authors focus on the deaths of unregistered pilgrims during the Hajj heat wave, implying that it is solely due to Saudi Arabia's lack of accommodation and services for these individuals. However, they fail to mention that registered pilgrims also faced extreme heat conditions and were affected by the lack of cooling centers. The authors also use emotional language like 'deadly heat wave' and 'oppressive, inescapable heat' to manipulate readers' emotions towards the situation. Furthermore, they quote witnesses describing the suffering of unregistered pilgrims without disclosing that these individuals were breaking Saudi laws by attending the Hajj without proper permits.
          • The effects of a deadly heat wave during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia this month were made worse by the lack of accommodation and other services such as cooling centers for those who traveled there without proper permits, witnesses and media reports said.
          • Temperatures in the holy city of Mecca topped 125 degrees Fahrenheit during the five-day pilgrimage that started June 14, according to the Saudi meteorological center.
          • Pilgrims seeking shelter packed into already overcrowded mosques or sprayed each other with water in an attempt to cool down. Some, walking miles in the desert sun, collapsed or died in the streets.
          • Of the roughly 1,000 people who were reported dead, more than half were unregistered pilgrims.
        • Fallacies (80%)
          The article contains several informal fallacies and a dichotomous depiction. The authors use inflammatory language to describe the situation, such as 'deadly heat wave' and 'oppressive, inescapable heat'. They also use loaded words like 'extreme danger threshold' when describing the impact of climate change on Hajj pilgrims. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of registered and unregistered pilgrims, with the latter being described as 'unregistered', 'undocumented', and 'swindled'. This creates a negative stereotype and oversimplifies the complex issue of unauthorized participation in the Hajj.
          • The effects of a deadly heat wave during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia this month were made worse by...
          • With global temperatures on the rise, including in the desert kingdom, and a two-tiered system that prevents many pilgrims from accessing facilities or services, the pilgrimage could become increasingly risky...
          • People who attended the Hajj this year described oppressive, inescapable heat that permeated even air-conditioned spaces...
          • At one point, the generators powering air conditioners inside tents stopped working because of the heat...
          • But many of the pilgrims, most from lower-income countries, are often swindled by brokers or travel agents posing as official Hajj tour operators...
        • Bias (80%)
          The article mentions that more than half of the reported deaths during the Hajj pilgrimage were unregistered pilgrims. The authors also describe how these unregistered pilgrims were denied access to official cooling centers and other services, while registered pilgrims had access to them. This clear disparity in treatment based on registration status demonstrates a bias towards those who are registered and against those who are not.
          • Of the roughly 1,000 people who were reported dead, more than half were unregistered pilgrims
            • unregistered pilgrims were in some cases denied access to air-conditioned tents and other official cooling centers where those with Hajj permits could escape the high temperatures
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              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

            Hundreds of Muslim pilgrims died in heat-stricken Hajj

            National Public Radio (NPR) Friday, 21 June 2024 00:00
            • Unique Points
              • Hundreds of pilgrims died during the Hajj pilgrimage due to extreme heat.
              • Saudi Arabia has not provided a death toll for this year's Hajj, but a leaked hospital list shows the names of 550 deceased pilgrims.
            • Accuracy
              • Over 500 people have died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
              • Approximately 1,000 people died during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in June 2022.
            • 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