A fire incident at the Imaratus Sanan Hotel in Makkah has caused panic among Nigerians performing the 2025 Hajj, as the facility was accommodating 484 pilgrims from Nigeria. Fortunately, no lives were lost, as the pilgrims were away in Mina performing religious rites at the time of the incident.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed the development in an official statement issued by its spokesperson, Fatima Usara. According to the statement, the fire broke out around midday on Saturday at the hotel located on Shari Mansur Street, which was hosting pilgrims under six private tour operator companies.
“Thankfully, all pilgrims were in Mina for their Hajj rituals when the incident occurred, and therefore were not affected,” Usara said.
Saudi emergency services, along with the hotel management, responded swiftly to the outbreak, successfully containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to other areas of the building.
Following the incident, NAHCON Chairman and CEO, Malam Abdullahi Saleh, visited the scene alongside top officials, including Commissioner for Policy, Personnel Management and Finance, Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazak, and Deputy Makkah Coordinator, Director Alidu Shutti.
In a swift move to ensure the welfare of those affected, Saleh ordered the immediate relocation of all 484 pilgrims to alternative accommodations. He also assured them of full support from the Commission, promising to minimize any disruptions to their Hajj activities.
“We sympathize deeply with the pilgrims and appreciate their calm. NAHCON will continue to work closely with the affected tour operators to ensure a smooth transition and continued comfort for the pilgrims,” Saleh said.
The NAHCON team commended the rapid response of Saudi emergency authorities and acknowledged the cooperation of the hotel staff in managing the crisis effectively
