55 Pilgrims from Central Java Die During 2026 Hajj

A total of 55 Hajj pilgrims from Central Java Province passed away during the 2026 Hajj rituals (1447 Hijri). Most of the deceased were elderly.

“For pilgrims departing from the Solo embarkation, there were 55 deaths. Specifically, 50 pilgrims died in the Holy Land, either before, during, or after the peak of the Hajj; one pilgrim died on the aircraft during the journey from the Holy Land back to Indonesia; and four pilgrims passed away in Indonesia,” stated Nabiila Azka Amalia, Public Relations for the Solo Embarkation Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH), on Tuesday (30/06/2026).

Nabiila noted that of the four pilgrims who died in Indonesia, three passed away after arriving in Solo, while one died during transit at Kualanamu Airport while preparing to depart for the Holy Land.

According to Nabiila, the deceased were predominantly elderly, including those who died in Indonesia. “Based on the data we have received, many deaths may have been due to exhaustion, considering that the peak Hajj activities require physical stamina to cope with weather conditions that are vastly different from those in Indonesia,” she said.

She mentioned that during the Hajj procession, temperatures in Saudi Arabia reached 47 degrees Celsius. “The latest updates indicate that during the final groups, as pilgrims arrived in Madinah, daytime temperatures between afternoon and evening could reach 47 degrees Celsius,” Nabiila added.

She believes weather factors played a significant role in the deaths of pilgrims, particularly those from the Solo embarkation. “Information received suggests some deaths were due to weather changes. Some pilgrims experienced initial symptoms such as shortness of breath, likely due to exhaustion,” she said.

“There were also several elderly pilgrims who may have had pre-existing medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, which led to their passing under conditions of physical exhaustion,” Nabiila added.

She revealed that as of Tuesday (30/06/2026), the Solo Embarkation PPIH has received the return of 80 groups, totalling 28,617 pilgrims. Nabiila noted that group 81, the final group, is expected to arrive at Adi Soemarmo Airport today, marking the end of the 2026 Hajj repatriation operations for the Solo embarkation.