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Saudi official defends Hajj management after over 1,100 deaths

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A senior Saudi official has defended the management of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Gulf kingdom, responding to reports of over 1,100 deaths, many attributed to extreme heat.
According to the official's statement to AFP, the state was not at fault but rather there was a misjudgment by individuals who underestimated the risks. The death toll, as per an AFP tally on Friday, stands at 1,126, with more than half of the deaths reported from Egypt.
The official acknowledged challenging weather conditions and high temperatures during the two busiest days of Hajj: Saturday's prayers on Mount Arafat and Sunday's "stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina. However, the confirmed death toll of 577 covers only these days and not the entire duration of Hajj, which ended on Wednesday.
Hajj permits are allocated through a quota system and distributed via a lottery, but many attempt the pilgrimage without permits, risking arrest and deportation. This year, an estimated 400,000 unregistered pilgrims, mainly from Egypt, participated in Hajj.
The extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 51.8 degrees Celsius, posed significant challenges, especially for unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to amenities like air-conditioned tents and medical facilities.
Overall, the official's remarks shed light on the complexities and challenges faced during this year's Hajj pilgrimage, especially regarding unregistered participants and the impact of scorching temperatures.

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