Seven Ghanaian Pilgrims Die During 2025 Hajj, Hajj Board Confirms
The Ghanaian Hajj community is mourning the loss of seven pilgrims during this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The unfortunate news was confirmed by Alhaji Collins Dauda, Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, during a media briefing on Saturday, June 7.
He revealed that the deceased include five women and two men. “This year’s pilgrimage has sadly seen the passing of seven Ghanaian pilgrims. While death is always difficult to accept, it is a part of life. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the bereaved families in Ghana,” Alhaji Dauda stated.
Though he declined to share the names of those who passed, he confirmed that all were laid to rest in Saudi Arabia in line with Islamic burial traditions.
Beyond the tragic losses, the Ghanaian Hajj delegation has faced other challenges. Some pilgrims were sent back home due to visa complications. Reports show that five individuals were unable to complete the pilgrimage due to irregularities in their travel documentation.
Clarifying the situation, Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseini, Head of Corporate Affairs for the Hajj Taskforce, emphasized that these were not deportations but rather repatriations. “Deportation suggests criminal behavior, which is not the case here. These individuals did nothing wrong. There was an administrative error involving their visas, and we are working hard to correct it and get them back to Mecca,” he explained.
Adding to the concerns, extreme heat during the peak Hajj days has caused health risks for many pilgrims, especially the elderly and those with existing medical conditions. Temperatures soared above 48°C, making the conditions particularly harsh.
Roughly 6,000 Ghanaian Muslims made the pilgrimage this year — a notable increase from last year’s 4,000. The significant jump in attendance is partly due to a reduction in Hajj costs introduced by the current Mahama-led government, with fees lowered to between GHC 62,000 and GHC 75,000.
There was also a temporary scare at the Rafahya Al-Seteen Hotel in Mecca on May 25. Hundreds of Ghanaian pilgrims had to be briefly evacuated after a fire incident and structural safety concerns emerged on the building’s 12th floor. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, and no casualties were reported.
The Hajj, which began on June 4 and runs through June 9, marks a sacred period in the Islamic calendar. The exact date for Eid al-Adha will be determined based on the sighting of the moon.
As the pilgrimage continues, prayers are being offered for the safety and well-being of all pilgrims and for the souls of those who passed on.
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