Riyadh, August 25: A 27-year-old man from Telangana's Hyderabad tragically died of dehydration and exhaustion in Saudi Arabia's Rub' al Khali desert, also known as the Empty Quarter. The deceased was identified as Mohammad Shehzad Khan. He was travelling with a colleague when the tragedy struck. Shehzad, who had been working with a telecommunications company in Saudi Arabia for three years, found himself stranded in one of the world's most dangerous regions.

The Rub' al Khali, stretching over 650 kilometres, is infamous for its harsh conditions and spans across Saudi Arabia's southern regions into neighbouring countries. The incident occurred when Shehzad and a Sudanese national lost their way after their GPS signal failed, NDTV reported. Compounding their plight, Shehzad's mobile phone battery died, leaving them unable to call for help. Their vehicle eventually ran out of fuel, stranding them without food or water in the desert's scorching heat. Hajj 2024: At Least 550 Die During This Year's Hajj Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia Amid Intense Heat.

Indian Man Dies in Saudi Arabia Desert

Both men succumbed to severe dehydration and exhaustion as they struggled to survive in extreme temperatures. Their bodies were discovered on Thursday, four days later, lying next to their vehicle in the sand dunes. Mohammed Bin Salman’s Life in Danger? Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Fears of Assassination Over Normalisation Talks With Israel.

Ninety-eight Indians have died in Saudi Arabia during Hajj this year, the government said. All deaths are due to "natural causes", the Foreign Ministry said. This year 1,75,000 Indians have visited Saudi for hajj till now, the government said. "We will do all we can for the Indians there," it said. Around 10 countries have reported 1,081 deaths during the pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam which all Muslims with the means must complete at least once. The Hajj, whose timing is determined by the lunar Islamic calendar, fell again this year during the oven-like Saudi summer.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2024 04:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).