The annual Muslim pilgrimage to the sacred city of Mecca that wrapped up last week became a death march for over 1,300 Hajj participants who died in temperatures that climbed above 124 degrees.
Saudi Arabia's health minister Fahad Al-Jalajel, who on Sunday announced a death total of 1,301, blamed the fatalities on pilgrims "walking long distances under direct sunlight without adequate shelter or comfort."
The 5-6 day odyssey of hiking and prayer drew almost 2 million pilgrims from around the world. Fatalities included a number of elderly people and those suffering from chronic diseases, A-Jalajel said. About 83% of the fatalities were among people who were not authorized to make the pilgrimage, he said.
The United States and Ukraine have reached a consensus on several critical issues aimed at bringing...
Since the so-called ceasefire came into effect in Gaza on October 10, Israel has been consolidating...
Israel’s offensive has been one of the most devastating military campaigns in recent history. More than...
The ceasefire in Gaza is broadly holding, despite sporadic clashes between the Israel Defense Forces and...
