21st June 2024 – (Makkah)
A scorching heatwave has struck Mecca during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and numerous heatstroke cases among Muslim pilgrims. The extreme temperatures of 52 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) have challenged the safety measures in place during one of the world's largest religious gatherings.
Reports indicate that out of the 658 Egyptian fatalities, 630 were unregistered pilgrims. In total, 10 countries have disclosed a combined 1,081 deaths related to the pilgrimage. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry has reported 22 citizens hospitalized and 16 still missing, while the Iranian Red Crescent has stated that numerous Iranians have been admitted to hospitals due to heatstroke and other heat-related conditions.
Authorities express concerns that the actual number of casualties may be higher, as both Saudi Arabia and Egypt have yet to release official figures. Additionally, the current count only includes registered pilgrims, raising fears of unreported deaths among unregistered participants.
The Saudi government has announced that over 2,700 people have been treated for heatstroke due to the scorching Saudi summer. In response, authorities have advised pilgrims to avoid performing the traditional "stoning of the devil" ritual during the hottest hours of the day.
To combat the harsh weather, Hajj officials have urged pilgrims to utilize umbrellas for shade and maintain proper hydration. The Saudi army has deployed more than 1,600 personnel, including specialized medical units for heatstroke treatment. Additionally, 30 rapid response teams and 5,000 health and first aid volunteers are on standby.
麥加朝聖期間酷熱波襲擊造成逾1,000人喪生
2024年6月21日 - (麥加)
一場酷熱波正在麥加年度朝聖期間肆虐,造成超過1,000人喪生,以及大量穆斯林朝聖者中暑。驕陽似火的氣溫高達攝氏52度(華氏120度),對全球最大宗教集會之一的安全措施造成巨大挑戰。
報告顯示,在658名埃及遇難者中,有630人是未登記的朝聖者。共有10個國家披露了1,081宗與朝聖有關的死亡事件。約旦外交部表示22名國民住院,另有16人下落不明,而伊朗紅新月會則指出多名伊朗人因中暑及其他與酷熱相關的情況而入院。
當局擔心實際死亡人數可能更高,因為沙特阿拉伯和埃及尚未發布官方數據。此外,目前的統計數字僅包括登記的朝聖者,未登記參與者的死亡案例恐怕無法統計在內。
沙特政府表示,超過2,700人因中暑而接受治療。為應對酷熱天氣,朝聖官員已敦促朝聖者在最炎熱的時段避免進行「擲石撒旦」的傳統儀式。
為遏制酷熱,朝聖官員呼籲朝聖者使用遮陽傘並保持適當的補水。沙特軍隊已派遣1,600多名人員,包括專門治理中暑的醫療單位。此外,還有30支快速反應小組和5,000名健康與急救義工待命。
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