13 Iranian Pilgrims Die Due to Heat During Hajj

At least 13 Iranian pilgrims have died during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia due to rising temperatures, according to Iranian state media.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society’s health unit said that as of Friday, a total of 13 Iranian pilgrims have died during the 2025 Hajj. Recently, temperatures in the holy cities of Saudi Arabia have risen above 47 degrees Celsius, causing pilgrims to face extreme heat, reported the Iranian news agency IRNA. This year, about 86,700 Iranians traveled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

Last year, during the Hajj, over 1,200 pilgrims, including 22 Iranians, died in Saudi Arabia. Temperatures reached as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius. The extreme heat affects the body’s natural cooling system, causing symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and eventually organ failure, which can lead to death.

To help pilgrims, fans spraying water have been set up on the streets for cooling.

Iran has advised pilgrims to avoid direct sunlight, stay hydrated, reduce heat risks, and take other safety measures. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that due to climate change, about 500,000 people die every year from heat-related causes, and the actual number could be 30 times higher.