Fire Guts Hotel Housing 480 Nigerian Pilgrims

A hotel accommodating over 480 Nigerian pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, was consumed by fire on Saturday, June 7, but all affected pilgrims have been confirmed safe, as reported by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The blaze erupted at the Imaratus Sanan Hotel, situated in the Sharamansur district of the holy city. The incident took place around 12 p.m. local time, while most pilgrims were away in Mina performing the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual, a significant part of the Hajj pilgrimage.

In a statement released by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of the Information and Publications Division on behalf of NAHCON’s Chairman/CEO, the Commission verified that all 484 pilgrims were safe and accounted for. “Immediate emergency response by Saudi authorities and the hotel management helped to contain the fire swiftly and prevent it from spreading all over the building,” the statement noted.

NAHCON’s leadership, headed by Chairman Professor Abdullahi Usman, visited the incident site alongside Commissioner of Policy, Personnel Management and Finance, Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazak, and Deputy Makkah Coordinator, Director Alidu Shutti. The visit aimed to evaluate the damage and ensure the pilgrims’ safety and well-being.

Professor Usman directed the immediate transfer of the affected pilgrims to a new facility and reassured them of ongoing support. “The Chairman thanked Almighty Allah that no life was lost in this unfortunate incident, promising that NAHCON will work with the affected Tour Operators to ensure that pilgrims are relocated and provided with the necessary assistance,” the statement read.

Inspections of the new lodging have been finalized, and resettlement efforts are currently in progress. The Commission commended the swift response by Saudi emergency services and the cooperation of hotel staff, which helped limit the extent of the damage.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli