The Ghana Hajj Board has confirmed the regrettable deaths of seven Ghanaian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj rituals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The deceased comprise five women and two men.

While their identities have not been publicly disclosed, the Board has assured that all affected families in Ghana have been informed of the unfortunate events.

Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, Alhaji Collins Dauda, addressed the matter in an interaction with TV3 on Saturday, June 7, expressing profound condolences.

"Unfortunately, for the 2025 pilgrimage, we have lost seven of our compatriots. Deaths are painful, but death will come when it has to come and therefore, regrettably, as the case is, we take the opportunity to express our deepest condolences to the families back in Ghana who have been affected in this case,” Alhaji Dauda stated.

He further indicated that Hajj Board officials would visit the bereaved families in Ghana at an appropriate time to commiserate with them.

In line with Islamic principles, all seven deceased individuals have since been buried in Saudi Arabia, a standard practice for pilgrims who pass away during the Hajj.

This year, Ghana dispatched a contingent of over 6,000 pilgrims to Mecca, joining over 2 million Muslims worldwide for the annual pilgrimage.

The Hajj, a physically demanding spiritual journey, is often conducted under extreme weather conditions.

Reports from Mecca this year indicated scorching temperatures, frequently exceeding 48°C during the peak ritual days, posing significant health risks to pilgrims, especially the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions.

Despite these challenging circumstances, the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage has seen a remarkable reduction in Ghanaian fatalities compared to previous years.

Alhaji Dauda highlighted that the current figure of seven deaths represents a drastic decline from the 17 reported in the 2024 pilgrimage, marking an impressive ~59% reduction in fatalities.

The Hajj Board chairman attributed this improved safety record to robust protocols implemented in close collaboration with Saudi authorities.

These measures include comprehensive health screenings before departure, the deployment of dedicated Ghanaian medical teams accompanying the pilgrims, and enhanced provisions for prompt medical care and emergency response on the ground.

Heatstroke prevention efforts, including widespread hydration points and advisory campaigns, were also intensified to mitigate the risks associated with the intense desert climate.

The Board remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Ghanaian pilgrims, continuously reviewing and adapting its protocols in line with international best practices for managing mass gatherings under challenging conditions.