Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 18: Five women Hajj pilgrims from Kashmir died due to heat stroke in Arafat and Muzdalifa, during the pilgrimage.
The deaths took place due to extreme temperatures experienced during the pilgrimage.
“The temperature has been soaring and unfortunately, five lady pilgrims from Kashmir have succumbed to heat stroke in Arafat and Muzdalifa of which four are from Srinagar and one from district Kulgam. The death certificates are yet to be issued,” an official said.
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The official said that during the ongoing holy pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, temperatures even soared to a scorching 48°C.
Pilgrims from various countries, including India, have been struggling to cope with the intense heat, which has posed serious health risks, particularly to the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. Hundreds of pilgrims including 45 Indians died due to extreme heat during pilgrimage this year.
The official said the deceased pilgrims were accompanied by their relatives, and it has been confirmed that they will be buried in Makkah.
This year, over 7000 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir undertook the Hajj pilgrimage.
Of these, approximately 6800 pilgrims departed through the Srinagar embarkation point, while over 500 pilgrims travelled from other airports.