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Authorities warn of respiratory infections, extreme heat during haj
As of Sunday, at least 28 Indonesian pilgrims had died in Saudi Arabia—slightly higher than the number of fatalities recorded during the same period last year. The leading cause of death was heart-related conditions, followed by systemic infections linked to weakened immune systems.
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Haj pilgrims pray together for their safety on May 1, 2025, during a sendoff ceremony at the Donohudan haj dormitory in Boyolali, Central Java. (Antara/Aloysius Jarot Nugroho)
T
he Health Ministry has urged Indonesian haj pilgrims to remain vigilant against acute respiratory infections and extreme heat, following the deaths of dozens of Indonesian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
Mohammad Imran, Head of the Indonesian Haj Management Committee (PPIH) in Saudi Arabia, said that acute respiratory infections were the most common illness affecting Indonesian haj pilgrims, followed by diabetes, hypertension, pneumonia, chronic lung disease and coronary heart disease.
"Nearly 8,000 Indonesian pilgrims have contracted acute respiratory infections so far, triggered by overcrowding in Mecca which sped up the spread of viruses and bacteria," he said in a statement on Monday.
Imran further stated that the situation has been exacerbated by extreme heat in the city, with temperatures reaching between 42 and 46 degrees Celsius.
"The weather is expected to get even hotter as the haj season continues,” he added.
Imran said authorities are closely monitoring the outbreak, noting that around 80 percent of Indonesian haj pilgrims fall into the high-risk category because of their advanced age and preexisting health conditions.
He warned that if left untreated, acute respiratory infections can develop into pneumonia, which in turn may lead to severe and potentially fatal complications such as sepsis.
