Ghana Hajj Board confirms death of seven pilgrims in 2025 pilgrimage

The Ghana Hajj Board has confirmed the deaths of seven pilgrims. They were part of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The deceased include five women and two men.

Their identities have not been disclosed publicly. However, the Hajj Board has informed their families in Ghana. They also extended condolences to those affected.

Alhaji Collins Dauda, Chairman of the Hajj Board, spoke about this loss. He described it as profoundly unfortunate during an interview with TV3 on June 7th. He said, “Regrettably, we have lost seven of our compatriots. Death is always painful but inevitable.”

He expressed deep sympathy for the bereaved families back home. Alhaji Dauda mentioned that the Hajj Board would visit these families soon to offer support.

In line with Islamic tradition, all seven pilgrims were buried in Saudi Arabia. This is customary for those who pass away during the pilgrimage.

Over 6,000 Ghanaian pilgrims participated in the 2025 Hajj. They joined more than two million Muslims worldwide for this sacred journey. The pilgrimage involves spiritually enriching rituals that can be physically taxing.

This year, temperatures in Mecca exceeded 48°C, creating health risks for many pilgrims. This was especially true for the elderly and those with health issues.

Despite these harsh conditions, this year's death toll shows improvement. In 2024, 17 Ghanaian pilgrims died during Hajj. The current figure of seven represents a decline of nearly 59%.

Alhaji Dauda credited robust health and safety measures for this reduction in fatalities. These included pre-departure medical screenings and dedicated medical personnel from Ghana.

Emergency response mechanisms were also enhanced to protect pilgrims' health. Additional initiatives included hydration centers and regular health advisories against heatstroke.

The Ghana Hajj Board remains committed to improving safety for its pilgrims. They plan to refine their systems according to international standards for large-scale religious gatherings under extreme conditions.