Hajj 2025: 13 Iranians die in Saudi Arabia during holy pilgrimage

🇸🇦 Hajj 2025: 13 Iranian Pilgrims Die in Saudi Arabia — Cause: Extreme Heat and Health Strains

During the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, 13 Iranian pilgrims tragically lost their lives. Official and unofficial reports, including statements from Iranian Red Crescent and medical sources, attribute these deaths primarily to heatstroke, dehydration, and pre-existing health conditions, all exacerbated by extreme temperatures and challenging pilgrimage logistics.

🔥 1. Scorching Heat in Mecca and Arafat

This year’s Hajj occurred amidst an intense heatwave across the Arabian Peninsula. Temperatures at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and surrounding ritual zones soared to 47°C (116.6 °F), with earlier Hajj seasons already recording highs over 50°C (122 °F)

According to Iran’s Red Crescent Society, by mid-June, seven Iranian pilgrims had succumbed to heat-related illnesses during the core rituals of Hajj . These extreme conditions made the physically demanding rites like Tawaf, standing on Mount Arafat, and especially the Ramy al-Jamarat (stoning of the devil) profoundly taxing.

🩺 2. Heatstroke and Physical Strain

Pilgrims were exposed to the scorching midday sun, often walking long distances—sometimes exceeding 1.5 kilometers from tent housing to the Jamarat bridge—without adequate rest or hydration. Many were already elderly or carrying underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease or hypertension .

The combination of dehydration, physical exertion under oppressive heat, and crowded conditions overwhelmed many pilgrims. The Iranian Red Crescent head, Pirhossein Kolivand, confirmed multiple deaths from heatstroke and health complications linked to the harsh environment .

⚠️ 3. Overcrowding and Long Routes

Reports from the Iranian pilgrims’ leadership highlighted that Iranian pilgrims were assigned farther tents in Mina—east of the main ritual sites—requiring extended walks, often scheduled during the hottest hours . These longer routes intensified exposure to heat, making pilgrims vulnerable before they could complete the ritual.

An Iranian Hajj representative noted:

“Sending the pilgrims during the hottest time of the day… their tents were at the farthest distance… increasing the return route by about one and a half kilometers was not the right thing to do.”

This echoes wider accounts that pilgrims who arrived informally (“illegal” Hajj travelers) faced similar hardships—longer walks, lack of transportation, and inadequate shelter—leading to numerous unrecorded heat fatalities .

🏥 4. Pre-existing Conditions

Many Iranian pilgrims suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiac issues—even without Hajj’s climatic extremes. The physically taxing journey can exacerbate these conditions. Poor screening and lack of medical support prior to and during Hajj likely contributed to worsening outcomes .

🧭 5. Response from Saudi and Iranian Authorities

Saudi health authorities acknowledge that, each year, hundreds of pilgrims require hospitalization from heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sunstroke; this year, more than 2,700 cases were reported in a single day . They’ve deployed cooling stations, medical tents, and treatment facilities across Mecca, Mina, Arafat, and Medina.

However, Iran’s Hajj Coordination Council voiced strong complaints about scheduling and logistics:

• Pilgrims were assigned distant tent locations.
• They were escorted at peak heat times.
• Lack of umbrellas, shade, and water stations along routes.

They’re urging Saudi authorities to improve planning in future pilgrimages.

🌍 Wider Impact and Historical Context

The deaths of Iranian pilgrims ring alarm bells reminiscent of past tragedies. In 2024, over 1,300 pilgrims died during Hajj, many from heat-related causes—this included Iranians . Historically, Hajj poses serious risks: from stampedes (e.g., 2015 Mina incident with over 400 Iranian fatalities) to recurring heat crises.

This year’s 13 Iranian deaths, while a smaller figure compared to previous years, reflect ongoing vulnerabilities—particularly in terms of weather, crowd management, and logistics.

🛡️ 7. Recommendations and Conclusion

To mitigate future tragedies, several measures are critical:

1. Better scheduling: Assign pilgrimage tours outside peak heat hours.
2. Improved housing placement: Move tents closer to ritual sites.
3. Enhanced heat mitigation: More shade, umbrellas, hydration points.
4. Health screening: Pre-Hajj checks for chronic conditions.
5. Education and communication: Inform pilgrims about heat illness signs.

Despite challenges, the Saudi government continues expanding its medical infrastructure and climate-control systems. Meanwhile, the Iranian pilgrimage authorities are raising key concerns—aiming to protect their citizens in shared holy spaces.

📌 Final Thoughts

The deaths of these 13 Iranian pilgrims during Hajj 2025 are a tragic reminder: the sacred journey of Hajj exists within very real, potentially lethal environmental and logistical constraints, especially when temperatures reach deadly highs.

As climate change continues to intensify heatwaves, more robust planning, stronger cross-border coordination, and enhanced on-ground logistics will be essential to protect those pursuing this deeply spiritual obligation.