Photo: alhidoya.uz
Eight Uzbek citizens died during the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to Dunyo, the news agency under Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry.
Four of the deceased were official pilgrims who suffered from chronic health conditions exacerbated by extreme heat. The other four had traveled to Saudi Arabia illegally, bypassing official routes and thus lacked access to medical care — even basic first aid.
This year, more than 15,000 Uzbek citizens performed the Hajj. They traveled to Mecca and Medina between May 13 and 30, with return flights organized from June 12 to 29 via direct daily flights from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to various regions of Uzbekistan.
Hajj-related deaths occur annually. In 2023, 240 pilgrims died; in 2024, the number surpassed 1,000. The main causes are heat-related complications and cardiovascular issues, especially among elderly pilgrims or those traveling without official documentation or medical access.
Deceased pilgrims are typically buried in Mecca. Unidentified bodies are interred in unmarked graves in designated cemeteries at no cost to families, with the Saudi government covering all burial expenses. While relatives are allowed to repatriate the remains, 95% of burials take place in Mecca.
In 2025, the Hajj was held from June 4 to 9 (8–13 Dhu al-Hijjah). According to the Saudi General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), 1,673,230 people performed the pilgrimage, 1.5 million of whom arrived from abroad. Most came by air, while others traveled by land or sea.
Saudi authorities tightened enforcement this year: over 269,000 individuals without valid visas were turned away at the border, around 76,000 were detained, and hundreds of fake companies and unauthorized operators were shut down.
According to The Islamic Information, the 2025 Hajj saw the lowest turnout in 30 years, excluding the pandemic period. The decline is attributed to economic hardship, high costs, stricter visa and health requirements, and extreme heat, which deterred many elderly Muslims from making the journey.
Saudi officials have pledged to make future pilgrimages more affordable and accessible, while maintaining high safety and health standards.
