Millions of Muslism make the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca every year. This year, extreme temperatures of more than 50 degrees Celsious claimed hundreds of lives, turning the pilgrimage into a drama for many families.
Heatwave during Hajj
Hundreds of Muslim pilgrims have died in the scorching heat during this year's pilgrimage to Mecca. The AFP news agency reports 550 deaths, citing diplomats. Thousands of believers are being treated in hospital for heat-related illness. Family members are using social media to search for missing relatives.
Millions of Muslims from around the world came to Saudi
The Saudi authorities expected around 1.8 million pilgrims in Mecca. The city of millions in western Saudi Arabia is home to the holy mosque and Kabaa, both of which are central pilgrimage sites in Islam.
Cooling is necessay
The authorites reported temperatures of more than 50 degree Celcius in the shade. People were asked to keep hydrated, use umbrellas and avoid being outside during the midday heat if possible.
First aid after heat stroke
Paramedics carry a patient with heatstroke to the medical care centre in Mina. The Saudi Ministry of Health reports that 2700 people are being treated in hospital for heat related emergencied. Mina is located in the desert east of the city of Mecca, on the way to Arafat Hill, and accommodates pilgrims in huge tent sites.
Heat victims from Egypt, Senegal and Jordan
Islam is one of the world's largest religions. Muslims from 22 countries made the pilgrimage to Mecca this year. Among the fatalities are more than 300 Egyptian believers and around 144 pilgrims from Indonesia.
Stoning the devil
Toward the end of their pilgrimage, the faithful gather in the Mina for the ritual stoning of Satan. There, they throw small stones against a stone wall that symbolizes the devil.
Risky pilgrimage without a visa
From Mina, the pilgrims travel back to Mecca and their journey with the Tawaf, the circumambulation of the Kabaa. To save money tens of thousnads of believers make the pilgrimage every year without a so-called Hajj visa. This is a dangerous undertaking because without the visa they have no access to the air-conditioned facilities along the pilgrimage route.