18 Pakistani Pilgrims Die During Hajj 2025: MoRA

International News: During the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, 18 Pakistani pilgrims lost their lives, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), as reported by local media outlets. According to the ministry, the deceased included 10 men and 8 women, most of whom were over 60 years of age. The deaths were primarily due to health-related issues and heart attacks. 

Fewer Deaths Reported

In 2024, over 30 Pakistani pilgrims had died during Hajj. Notably, this year’s death toll is significantly lower, according to Pakistani media reports. All the deceased were buried in Jannatul Baqi, also known as Baqi al-Gharqad. It is the oldest and first Islamic cemetery in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The management ensured dignified burials for all the departed pilgrims. Pakistani authorities expressed satisfaction over the improved conditions. The death toll drop is seen as a positive outcome of better planning. Families back home have been notified through diplomatic channels.

1.6 Million Pilgrims

This year, over 1.6 million pilgrims gathered from around the world, including approximately 1.5 million international pilgrims from 171 countries. According to official records from Saudi Arabia, a total of 166,654 domestic pilgrims participated in Hajj 2025. This year witnessed one of the most balanced gender ratios in Hajj history, with 877,841 men and 795,389 women taking part in the pilgrimage. Pilgrims came from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The diversity reflected Islam’s global reach and unity. Many arrived early to avoid last-minute rush and settle into accommodations. Organisers coordinated multilingual services for better crowd support.

Improved Safety Measures

In response to last year’s tragic death toll of 1,301 pilgrims—primarily due to extreme temperatures reaching 51.8°C (125°F)—Saudi authorities implemented a series of comprehensive cooling strategies. These included expanded shaded areas, cooling stations, and the deployment of medical teams to ensure the pilgrims' safety. According to Pakistani media, these precautions significantly contributed to improved safety conditions. In addition, strict enforcement against unauthorised pilgrims helped reduce crowding and enhanced overall security at key holy sites.

The end of the Hajj coincides with the start of Eid al-Adha, an important Islamic holiday marked by animal sacrifices. Data from GASTAT shows that most pilgrims arrived by air (1,435,017), while 66,465 travelled by land and 5,094 by sea. Authorities are now working to ensure smooth repatriation of all pilgrims.