Indonesian govt works to reduce haj pilgrim deaths

Indonesia haj management committee (PPIH) officials escort a pilgrim upon his arrival at a hotel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on May 20, 2024. More than 56,000 Indonesian pilgrims had arrived in the Middle Eastern country as of May 20 to go on the month-long pilgrimage. - Antara Photo via Jakarta Post/ANN

JAKARTA (Jakarta Post/ANN): A total of 774 Indonesian pilgrims passed away during last year’s haj season. The figure was more than eight times the number of 2022 deaths and the highest since 2015.

The Health Ministry has put new measures in place this year to monitor haj pilgrims’ health and keep them fit throughout the journey in an effort bring down high mortality rates among Indonesians performing the Muslim rite.