Miracle In Makkah: 484 Nigerian Pilgrims Safe After Hotel Fire.
A fire broke out at the Imaratus Sanan Hotel on Shari Mansur Street in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, 7 June 2025, where 484 Nigerian pilgrims were lodged for the 2025 Hajj, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has confirmed. Miraculously, no lives were lost, and all pilgrims were safely accounted for, having been away in Mina performing the symbolic stoning ritual, a key rite of the Hajj pilgrimage.
The blaze erupted around 12:00 noon Saudi time (10:00 a.m. Nigerian time), engulfing parts of the hotel, which was hosting pilgrims from six Nigerian private tour operator companies. According to a statement from Fatima Sanda Usara, NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publications, the swift response by Saudi emergency services and hotel management contained the fire, preventing it from spreading throughout the building. “Thankfully, no lives were lost, and all pilgrims are safely in Mina,” Usara stated, expressing relief at the outcome.
NAHCON Chairman and CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, accompanied by Commissioner for Policy, Personnel Management and Finance, Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazak, and Deputy Makkah Coordinator, Director Alidu Shutti, promptly visited the site to assess the damage and ensure the welfare of the affected pilgrims. Showing compassion, Professor Usman ordered the immediate relocation of all 484 individuals to new accommodations in Mina, pledging the commission’s full support to ease the impact of the incident. “We commiserate with the pilgrims over this distressing event and assure them of every possible assistance within our capacity,” he said, thanking Almighty Allah for the absence of casualties.
The rapid intervention by Saudi fire services and the cooperation of hotel staff were widely praised, with NAHCON commending their efforts in averting a greater crisis. While the fire caused considerable structural damage, arrangements for resettlement have been finalised, and the pilgrims are now settling into their new lodgings. The commission is working closely with the affected tour operators to ensure a smooth transition and continued comfort during the ongoing Hajj rites.
This incident follows a history of fire safety concerns during the Hajj, with a 2023 blaze claiming eight Pakistani pilgrims’ lives in Makkah. However, Saturday’s swift response marks a testament to improved emergency measures. NAHCON has promised further updates as the situation develops, ensuring the pilgrims’ safety and spiritual journey remain the priority.
