Seven Ghanaian nationals participating in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia have died, Ghana’s Hajj Board confirmed over the weekend, marking a notable decline in fatalities compared to the previous year.

The deceased—five women and two men—were among more than 6,000 Ghanaian pilgrims who traveled to Mecca in 2025. Their identities have not been publicly disclosed, though the Hajj Board said their families have been notified and extended condolences on behalf of the Ghanaian government.

“Unfortunately, for the 2025 pilgrimage, we have lost seven of our compatriots,” said Alhaji Collins Dauda, Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, in an interview with TV3 on Saturday. “Deaths are painful, but death will come when it has to come. We express our deepest condolences to the families back in Ghana who have been affected in this case.”

All seven individuals were buried in Saudi Arabia in accordance with Islamic burial customs for pilgrims who pass away during the Hajj.

This year’s deaths come amid punishing heat conditions in Mecca, where temperatures reportedly exceeded 48 degrees Celsius (118°F). The extreme climate has long posed health risks to pilgrims, especially the elderly and those with underlying conditions. Still, the 2025 figures represent a significant improvement: 17 Ghanaian pilgrims died during the 2024 Hajj, making this year’s toll a reduction of nearly 60%.

Officials attributed the decline to enhanced medical and safety protocols introduced in collaboration with Saudi authorities. Measures included pre-departure health screenings, the deployment of Ghanaian medical teams, and more robust emergency response mechanisms. Additional efforts to prevent heatstroke—such as increased access to hydration stations and public health advisories—were also part of the initiative.

Ghana was among more than 150 countries represented at this year’s pilgrimage, which drew over two million Muslims to Mecca. The annual religious gathering is considered one of the most logistically complex events in the world, requiring extensive coordination to manage health, transportation, and crowd control under intense environmental conditions.

The Ghana Hajj Board said it would continue to review and strengthen its systems to safeguard the welfare of pilgrims, and announced plans to visit the bereaved families at an appropriate time.

“Our commitment remains steadfast,” Alhaji Dauda said, “to ensuring that every Ghanaian pilgrim is given the best possible care before, during, and after the Hajj.”

Source:TheDotNews