Whisnu Bagus Prasetyo, Mina – At least 50 Indonesian pilgrims have died in the Saudi city of Mina while performing the Hajj pilgrimage since June 28, a Religious Affairs Ministry official said on Saturday.

The fatalities were primarily attributed to heart attacks, respiratory disorders, and heat strokes, according to Thafsin Alfarizi, an official entrusted with the medical treatment of Indonesian pilgrims in Mina.

He revealed that the majority of the deceased were elderly individuals.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from countries around the world have been in Mina since Wednesday to perform the stoning of three pillars representing the devil during the pilgrimage under intense heat.

"Overall, during the ritual period in Mina, 50 pilgrims have died. Heart attacks have been identified as the main culprit behind most of the deaths," Thafsin said.

The breakdown of the fatalities revealed that 27 individuals passed away in their tents, while 17 lost their lives in hospitals. Additionally, four Indonesian pilgrims died at the Mina health center, while two others succumbed en route to Mina from Muzdalifah.

Expressing his concern, Thafsin urged future pilgrims to carefully evaluate their health conditions before embarking on the rigorous ritual. The high death toll in Mina should serve as a somber warning, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing one's well-being and refraining from participating when health conditions do not permit.

This year, Indonesia sent an unprecedented number of 229,000 pilgrims to perform the Hajj, marking the largest quota ever granted by Saudi Arabia to the country.

It is noteworthy that the previous year, no Indonesian pilgrims were able to undertake the sacred journey to Mecca due to the COVID-19 pandemic, heightening the significance of this year's pilgrimage for the nation.

The annual Hajj quota for Indonesia had been capped at 221,000 pilgrims from 2017 to 2019, while in 2016, it stood at 168,800 individuals. In contrast, neighboring Malaysia has sent 31,600 pilgrims, Kuwait received a quota of 8,000, Bangladesh has been allocated 127,000 individuals, and Kyrgyzstan and Palestine are each permitted to send 6,000 and 6,600 pilgrims, respectively.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/50-indonesian-hajj-pilgrims-die-during-ritual-in-min