US couple ‘walked for hours’ before dying in Hajj heat

Caitriona Perry, Ana Faguy & Bernd Debusmann Jr

BBC News, Washington

24 June 2024/Updated 25 June 2024

A US couple who died during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia were walking for over two hours in scorching temperatures before they succumbed to heat stroke, their daughter has told the BBC.

Alhaji Alieu Dausy Wurie, 71, and Haja Isatu Wurie, 65, of Bowie, Maryland, were among an estimated 1,300 people who died during the annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

Temperatures during this year’s gathering exceeded 122F (50C) at times.

Saida Wurie told the BBC her parents’ tour group had failed to provide many of the items it promised, including food and adequate water.