Another Nigerian pilgrim participating in the 2024 Hajj has died in Saudi Arabia. Abubakar Adamu, head of Nigeria’s medical team for the 2024 Hajj, announced on Monday that the pilgrim succumbed to heatstroke while en route to Jamrat to perform the ritual of throwing stones.
Jamrat, located in the valley of Minā, consists of three stone walls where pilgrims symbolically repudiate evil and worldly thoughts by throwing stones.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Saudi authorities have advised pilgrims to avoid visiting Jamrat between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. due to excessive heat.
Adamu noted, “Even before the commencement of this year’s Hajj operation, we have been educating and sensitizing our medical team on how to prevent heatstroke caused by heatwaves.”
He urged pilgrims to use umbrellas, seek shade, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to combat the heat. Adamu also advised, “Pilgrims should follow all health advisories and instructions provided by the medical team. To limit sun exposure, they should avoid going outside during peak heat hours and refrain from walking in the sun.”
Fatima Usara, NAHCON’s assistant director of public affairs, reiterated that the commission has been actively educating pilgrims on the dangers of sun exposure.
Mohammed Al-Abdulaali, a spokesperson for the Saudi health ministry, reported that more than 2,760 pilgrims suffered from sunstroke and heat stress on Sunday alone. He noted that while Saudi Arabia has not released information on fatalities, temperatures in Mecca reached 47°C (116.6°F) on Sunday and were expected to continue on Monday.
Since the beginning of the 2024 Hajj, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reported multiple deaths among Nigerian pilgrims.
