Six additional Ghanaian pilgrims have died due to the severe heat wave in Mecca, raising the total number of Ghanaian fatalities during this year’s Hajj to eight.
The Hajj Board’s spokesperson, Abdul Rahman Alhassan Gomda, confirmed this news during an interview with Umaru Sanda on Eyewitness News.
He explained that the pilgrims, who were in Madina, were exposed to extreme heat with temperatures exceeding 41 degrees Celsius.
To safeguard the pilgrims from the intense heat, Saudi authorities mandated that all pilgrims remain in their tents during the peak heat hours from noon to 4 p.m. local time.
Initially, deaths were reported among Georgian nationals, but it soon became evident that Ghanaian pilgrims were also affected by the extreme heat.
According to Sky News, the overall death toll for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage has surpassed 1,000.
“The heat was unbearable, reaching temperatures higher than 41 degrees Celsius,” stated A.R Gomda.
“We were confined to our camps during the critical hours. Unfortunately, we later learned that not only Georgians but also Ghanaians had lost their lives due to the heat wave.”
Gomda revealed that there was a rumor of 13 Ghanaian deaths within their camp. However, these individuals were not registered with the Hajj Board and were suspected of travelling on non-Hajj visas.
“The forensic team at the morgue has been working tirelessly, using fingerprints to identify the deceased,” Gomda explained.
“So far, they have confirmed six Ghanaians among the casualties. It will take some time to determine the full extent of the losses suffered by our community.”
Chairman of the Hajj Board, Ben Abdallah Banda, verified the deaths of two Ghanaian pilgrims last week.
The pilgrims, originating from Damongo in the Savannah region, died on different dates, with one passing away on Sunday, June 9, and the other on Wednesday, June 12.
Mr. Banda also acknowledged the birth of a boy by a Ghanaian pilgrim.
With this update, the total number of Ghanaian deaths has risen to 8.