Six pilgrims who died in Mecca had health complications – Hajj Task Force reveals

The National Hajj Task Force has confirmed that six Ghanaian pilgrims who died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca were all elderly and had pre-existing health conditions.

The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Task Force, Alhaji Collins Dauda, during a media briefing on the status of the Ghanaian Hajj contingent.

The tragic news follows an earlier report by the Ghana Hajj Board on June 8, 2025, which stated that a total of seven Ghanaians had lost their lives during the Islamic pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

That initial announcement did not include the specific cause of death, nor did it disclose the identities of the deceased.

However, it noted that five women and two men were among the fatalities, and their families had been duly informed and offered condolences.

Clarifying the circumstances, Alhaji Dauda revealed that six of the deceased individuals were part of the official Hajj delegation from Ghana and were known to have underlying medical issues.

A seventh individual, who also died around the same time, was not part of the official contingent.

According to the Task Force, this individual had traveled on a tourist visa and participated in the pilgrimage independently.

“From our contingent, I can confirm six deaths. We have received information about a seventh person who also passed away, but he did not travel with the official group. He went on a tourist visa. Nevertheless, he is Ghanaian. Those who died were elderly and had underlying health conditions. It was not our wish for this to happen, but it was the will of Allah,” Alhaji Dauda stated.

The Chairman added that special funeral prayers were conducted in Mecca for the deceased pilgrims, in accordance with Islamic tradition, and that they were buried there.

He emphasized that the Hajj Board has kept in close contact with the bereaved families back in Ghana to ensure they receive the necessary support and information.

Alhaji Dauda also disclosed that the bulk of Ghana’s Hajj pilgrims are expected to return home before the end of June 2025.

Once the full delegation is back in the country, he said, the Hajj Board will consider additional measures to honour those who died during the pilgrimage.

The Hajj pilgrimage remains a deeply significant religious obligation for Muslims, and each year, thousands of Ghanaians embark on the journey to Mecca.

However, the physical demands of the pilgrimage, coupled with high temperatures and crowding, often pose health risks—especially to elderly pilgrims or those with chronic medical conditions.

This year’s pilgrimage has once again underscored the need for continuous pre-travel health screenings and the strengthening of medical support systems for pilgrims, particularly those with vulnerable health profiles.

The Hajj Task Force has expressed its commitment to reviewing current protocols and improving preparations ahead of future pilgrimages, to ensure the safety and well-being of Ghanaian Muslims who fulfil this important spiritual rite.