"On June 17, 2024, the combined effect of heat and humidity breached the survivability threshold for even young, healthy adults for approximately four consecutive hours. During this period, the human body cannot maintain a safe core temperature through sweating alone, making unshaded outdoor exposure life-threatening."
"Over the five-day event, approximately 1,300 fatalities were reported amid the extreme heat, which reached over 50°C. Temperatures hit a staggering 51.8°C (125°F) at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, with the human survivability limits exceeded for 'several hours' on each day of the pilgrimage."
"Each year, millions of people travel to Mecca for the five-day event, which includes a sequence of rituals - most of which take place outdoors. This includes circling the Kaaba, walking between Safa and Marwa, standing in prayer at Mount Arafat, spending nights in Mina and Muzdalifah, and the stoning of the devil."
The Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, the world's largest religious gathering, faces escalating dangers from climate change. During the 2024 event, researchers from the European Geosciences Union documented extreme heat and humidity conditions that exceeded survivability limits even for young, healthy adults. Temperatures reached over 50°C, and for approximately four consecutive hours on June 17, the combined heat and humidity prevented the human body from maintaining safe core temperatures through sweating alone. Approximately 1,300 fatalities were reported during the five-day pilgrimage. The study warns that conditions will worsen in future years as global warming continues.
Read at Mail Online
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