Haj 2024: 14 Jordanians dead, 17 missing in Saudi as authorities warn of high temperatures
File Photo. Image used for illustrative purposes
14 Jordanian pilgrims died, and 17 others were missing during performing the Haj rituals, announced the Directorate of Operations and Consular Affairs at the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.
According to Jordan News Agency (PETRA), the Head of the Directorate of Operations and Consular Affairs, Ambassador Sufian Qudah, stressed that the ministry is following up with the relevant Saudi authorities on the procedures for burying pilgrims and transporting the bodies, of those whose families wish to have their bodies transferred, to the Kingdom as soon as possible.
In addition, they're following up on the search for the 17 pilgrims who went missing.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have warned that pilgrims can expect average during the Haj. Last year, the pilgrimage saw thousands of cases of heat stress.
"The expected climate for Haj this year will witness an increase in average temperatures of one and a half to two degrees above normal in Makkah and Medinah," national meteorology centre chief Ayman Ghulam said, during a press conference, according to AFP.