Srinagar: At least five women pilgrims from Kashmir have reportedly died due to heatstroke in Arafat and Muzdalifa during the holy pilgrimage of Hajj, an official said on Tuesday.
A senior Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Officer informed that the extreme temperatures in Saudi Arabia have killed five female pilgrims from Kashmir in the Arafat and Muzdalifa areas, of which four are from Srinagar and one from Kulgam district in South Kashmir.
The deceased pilgrims will be buried in the holy city of Makkah as per Islamic tradition.
However, their death certificates have yet to be issued by the Kingdom, he added.
The official mentioned that during the ongoing holy pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, temperatures soared to a scorching 48°C, but despite the hot weather conditions, pilgrims continued to perform their religious duties.
According to the officials, this year, over 7,000 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir undertook the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Madina.
Of these, approximately 6,800 pilgrims departed through Srinagar, while over 500 departed from other airports.
(KNO)