Five Hajj pilgrims from Gujarat die in Saudi, over 50 fall sick in heatwave

A sweltering heatwave in Saudi Arabia has wreaked havoc this year, with heatstroke claiming the lives of over 900 Hajj pilgrims. Among the deceased are 68 Indian pilgrims, and a heartbreaking five of them hailed from Gujarat.

This year, a total of 14,400 pilgrims from Gujarat embarked on the sacred Hajj pilgrimage.

According to sources, five pilgrims from Gujarat lost their lives to heatstroke — Iqbal Ahmed Vali Mohammed Makrani from Chhotaudepur, Sabbir Hussain from Ahmedabad, Mushtaq Ahmed from Vadodara, Noor from Banaskantha, and Qasim Ali from Valsad.

Moreover, a total of 50 Hajj pilgrims from Gujarat are said to have fallen ill in the scorching heat.

The impact of climate change is evident in Saudi Arabia, with temperatures soaring past 50 °C, proving to be a formidable adversary, particularly for elderly and female pilgrims.

A total of 18 lakh pilgrims from across the globe arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj this year.

Those from Gujarat who fell ill due to heatstroke are receiving medical attention in local hospitals. One of them, suffering from a brain fever, has been placed on a ventilator.

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