Amid the scorching heatwaves, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday confirmed the deaths of Indian nationals who were on the Hajj yatra in Saudi Arabia. MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, during a weekly press briefing, said at least 98 Indians died during the hajj pilgrim.
The clarification from the MEA came amid multiple media reports claiming more than a hundred Indian nationals died during the holy month. He said that those died due to natural causes.
Jaiswal said at least six people died on Arafah Day, four were killed in separate accidents. He said the death toll in 2023 was much higher. According to Jaiswal, at least 187 Indians were killed during hajj.
“This year, we have 175,000 Indians who have already visited Hajj… So far, we have lost 98 of our citizens. These deaths have happened on account of natural illness, natural causes, chronic illness, and also old age. On the day of Arafat, six Indians died and four Indians died on account of accidents. Last year the figure of Indians who died in Hajj was 187…” he said.
Hundreds of people died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced intense high temperatures, as the pilgrimage involves hours of walking. Saudi Arabia saw temperatures touching 51.8 degrees Celsius this week.
