Ghanaian Pilgrims Succumb to Extreme Heat During 2025 Hajj in Mecca
The 2024 Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, was marked by tragedy as eight Ghanaian pilgrims lost their lives due to an intense heatwave. The extreme temperatures, soaring above 41°C, posed significant health risks to the millions of Muslims gathered for the annual Islamic ritual. Details of the Incident Between June 9 and June 19, 2024, the Hajj pilgrimage witnessed unprecedented heat levels, with temperatures peaking at 51.8°C. This extreme heat led to widespread cases of heatstroke and dehydration among pilgrims. According to the Ghana Hajj Board, six of the eight Ghanaian fatalities were directly attributed to the heatwave . The initial two deaths occurred on June 9 and June 12, involving pilgrims from Damongo in Ghana's Savannah Region . The subsequent six deaths were confirmed by Abdul Rahman Alhassan Gomba, the Hajj Board's spokesperson, who noted the challenges in […]