Hajj 2025: Elderly, ailing Pilgrims among Ghana’s deceased – Collins Dauda

The Ghana Hajj Board says underlying medical conditions have been identified as the cause of death for six Ghanaian pilgrims who died during the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

According to the Chairman of the National Hajj Task Force, Alhaji Collins Dauda, all six individuals were elderly and had pre-existing health issues that may have been aggravated by the harsh weather and physical demands of the pilgrimage.

Speaking to journalists, Alhaji Dauda confirmed that the affected families have been notified.

Howver, one additional Ghanaian, who traveled outside the official Hajj arrangement on a tourist visa, also passed away, bringing the total number of known Ghanaian deaths during the 2025 Hajj to seven.

“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,” he said

The Ghana Hajj Board has reported that the deceased include five women and two men, though their identities have not been made public.

More than 6,000 Ghanaian pilgrims joined over two million Muslims from around the world in this year’s Hajj.

The pilgrimage, while spiritually fulfilling, is physically strenuous and this year’s experience was made even more difficult by extreme temperatures in Mecca, which exceeded 48°C (118°F).

Despite the tragic losses, this year marks a significant drop in Ghanaian fatalities compared to 2024, when 17 pilgrims died — a reduction of nearly 59%.

The main Ghanaian contingent is expected to return later this month.

The Hajj Board has extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and urged future pilgrims, especially the elderly and medically vulnerable, to undergo thorough health screenings before embarking on the journey.