Tehran says at least 13 Iranians die during haj pilgrimage
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Medics transporting a man suffering from heatstroke to a hospital in the holy city of Mecca.
PHOTO: AFP
TEHRAN – At least 13 Iranians died while performing the haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia amid rising temperatures in the holy cities, Iranian state media reported on June 7.
“As at Friday, June 6, the total number of Iranian pilgrims who have passed away during haj 2025 has reached 13,” the health and treatment operations unit of the Iranian Red Crescent Society said in a statement carried by the official Irna news agency.
“In recent days, temperatures in the holy cities of Saudi Arabia have risen to 47 deg C, which can lead to severe heat stroke among pilgrims,” Irna said, adding that 86,700 Iranians went to Saudi Arabia in 2025 for the pilgrimage.
In 2024, more than 1,300 people, including 22 Iranians, died in the haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, where temperatures hit 51.8 deg C.
Heat stress occurs when the body’s natural cooling systems are overwhelmed, causing symptoms ranging from dizziness and headaches to organ failure and death.
The statement on June 7 also advised pilgrims to avoid direct sun exposure, stay hydrated and take other precautions to reduce the risk of heatstroke.
Climate change is driving an increasing number of deadly heatwaves across the globe, with the World Health Organisation estimating that heat kills at least half a million people every year and warning that the real figure could be up to 30 times higher. AFP
