Death toll rises in Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia due to extreme heat

Over 250 people were reported dead. The official total so far only includes citizens of Indonesia, Jordan, Tunisia, and Iran, and it is expected to rise further once the Saudi and Egyptian foreign ministries release figures for their citizens.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS 2 News Chicago brings you breaking news, weather, compelling exclusive content and award-winning investigative reports from the CBS 2 Investigators.

[OpenBiolabsGuy]

It kind of looks like ants in a death spiral.

[markwilliams]

And this is not a cult? If you can put yourself in harm's way because someone somewhere said you should make this pilgrimage you're in a cult.

[CShalom]

The people that passed away “trying to come back to say Allah is not real”

[MaryLopez-emrc]

I will never understand organized religion of any type. Cults.

[AppalachianPatriot]

People have died doing this for hundreds of years.

[rwatson]

These people who died worshipping a false god will think it was winter when they feel the heat of hell. So sad they didn’t know the true Savior. I pray these people wake up

[scarabmango]

I'm not bothered. We have too many religious people in this world as it is. Any opportunity to lose some is FINE.

[Apilot]

What is the average heat related death toll for a Hajj over any given year?
I’m sure it’s not zero.
It’s also not news that it’s hot AF in Saudi Arabia this time of year. It’s other worldly..

[joshramirez]

Imagine no religion...its easy if you try...

[beeinthebodytorahclass]

I work with a muslim and he is a very kind and decent human being. So sad to hear innocent people died at a pilgrimage 😢

[randomclicks]

For Muslims dying while performing pilgrimage is a sign that god chose you in the most sacred place on earth. Before going there pilgrims say good bye to family neighbors and acquaintances, pay their debt, write their will and ask for forgiveness because they know there is a chance they might not come back

[marilyn]

Why would you not prepare if you are going to do this? Seems like a lack of common sense.

[jakegrist]

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image."

[darylb]

I’ve heard of concerts where they didn’t have enough of one thing or another. As long as they’ve been putting this show on in the same place you would thing the promoters would have the logistics figured out by now.

[Mana-xdtp]

Delusional people with imaginary friends dying en masse, who would've thought?

[terrylandess]

Some meteorites are more important than others I guess.

[davidtsmith]

You know it's hot like hell yet you chose to go there spending hours to get there in the hot sun and when you get there you walk slowly in circles like ants shoulder to shoulder fully clothed from head to toe. Very smart.

[malloryjines]

Today the news says it’s up to almost 1100 deaths. Those poor souls!

[bgrim]

Pilgrimage during a heatwave is not a smart decision. Where was their god to protect them from the heat ?

[elizauksamad]

System failed these people, dead left under hot sun, the volunteers, on ground and their security people, total waste of time. They had no compassion for these dead people and making they just left dead on the street for hours.