At least 13 Iranian nationals have died during the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to Iranian state media, as extreme heat continues to grip the region during one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society’s health and treatment operations unit confirmed the deaths in a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency on Saturday. “As of Friday, June 6, the total number of Iranian pilgrims who have passed away during Hajj 2025 has reached 13,” the statement said. It did not specify the exact causes of death.
However, the agency warned that recent soaring temperatures in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina—reportedly reaching as high as 47°C (116°F)—pose serious health risks to pilgrims, including the danger of heatstroke. Pilgrims were urged to avoid direct sun exposure and to stay well hydrated to reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
Iran sent approximately 86,700 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj this year, according to IRNA.
Last year, the pilgrimage saw more than 1,300 deaths, including 22 Iranian pilgrims, during a particularly brutal heatwave that saw temperatures soar to 51.8°C (125°F). Officials said many of those fatalities were linked to heat exhaustion and related complications.
Heat stress—a potentially fatal condition that occurs when the body’s natural cooling mechanisms fail—can result in symptoms such as confusion, fainting, organ failure, and death, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those with preexisting conditions.
The rising death toll has renewed concerns about the impact of climate change on the annual pilgrimage. The World Health Organization has warned that extreme heat is becoming an increasingly deadly global health threat, estimating that heat-related deaths exceed 500,000 annually—with the actual figure potentially 30 times higher due to underreporting.
As climate change intensifies, managing the health and safety of millions of pilgrims during the Hajj is expected to pose growing challenges for Saudi authorities and participating nations alike.
