More than 1.8 million people gathered for the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Temperatures have been rising as the last ritual, the “stoning of the devil,” gets underway and Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha.At least 14 Jordanian pilgrims died from heatstroke during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Another “five Iranian pilgrims have lost their lives so far in Mecca and Medina during the Hajj this year,” the Iranian Red Crescent said, but did not provide details on the causes.
News of the deaths come as pilgrims perform the last major ritual of the Hajj, the symbolic “stoning of the devil,” in western Saudi Arabia and as Muslims worldwide celebrate.Many rituals are conducted outdoors and on foot, posing challenges, especially for older people.
