Updates on Ghanaian pilgrims after hotel scare in Mecca

Some Ghanaian Hajj pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, went through a scary experience on Sunday, May 25, 2025, after an incident on the 12th floor of the hotel where they were staying led to a temporary evacuation.

According to reports gathered from various sources, hundreds of Ghanaian pilgrims had to leave their rooms in a hurry after hearing an alarm or receiving word of a possible danger inside the Rafahya Al-Seteen Hotel, one of the facilities hosting Ghanaian Muslims for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

Fear and Panic Among Pilgrims

Eyewitnesses say that the incident happened sometime in the afternoon, causing serious panic, especially among the older people and women who were resting or praying at the time. Many people left their belongings behind and rushed out of the building as quickly as possible, unsure of what was happening.

“All we heard was that there was a problem on the 12th floor. Some were saying it was fire, others were shouting that the building was collapsing. People just started running,” one Ghanaian pilgrim told reporters.

Another pilgrim said, “I was sleeping when I heard the noise and saw people running. I just wore my slippers and came out. It was scary.”

What Caused the Incident? Conflicting Reports

As of now, the exact cause of the scare is still not clear. There are conflicting reports from those who were present at the hotel during the incident.

Some people claim that there was a fire on the 12th floor, which caused smoke to spread through parts of the building. Others say there was no fire but rather some structural concern, like part of the ceiling cracking or the floor shaking, which made people think the building was collapsing.

“Someone said the floor was cracking. Another said they saw smoke. We don’t know what really happened, but everyone was afraid,” said a Ghanaian man in his early 50s who traveled to Mecca for the pilgrimage.

Emergency Services Quickly Took Control

Thankfully, Saudi emergency services including firefighters and police officers responded swiftly to the situation. Within a short time, they had taken control of the area, inspected the building, and ensured that there was no active threat to the safety of the occupants.

Officials allowed the pilgrims to return to their rooms after it was deemed safe. Fortunately, no one was injured and there were no reports of deaths or damage to personal belongings.

Though everyone is safe, many of the Ghanaian pilgrims remained shaken by the event and are now hoping for tighter safety measures to be put in place for the remainder of their stay.

No Official Statement Yet from Ghana Hajj Board

As of the time of writing this article, the Ghana Hajj Board and other relevant Ghanaian authorities overseeing the welfare of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia have not yet issued any official statement about what happened at Rafahya Al-Seteen Hotel.

This has left many Ghanaians—both those on pilgrimage and family members back home—worried and eager to hear the truth about what happened and whether their loved ones are truly safe.

Some pilgrims have called on the Ghanaian Hajj officials in Mecca to speak up and assure the public, so that Ghanaians in Ghana who have relatives performing Hajj will not panic.

Ghanaians in Mecca Preparing for Key Hajj Rites

This year’s Hajj pilgrimage has brought together millions of Muslims from across the world. Ghana alone has sent thousands of pilgrims, including both first-timers and experienced Hajj goers.

As part of the rituals, pilgrims are expected to perform several key rites such as:

The Tawaf (circumambulating the Kaaba),

The Sa’i (walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah),

The stay at Arafat, which is the most important part of the Hajj, and

The symbolic stoning of the devil at Mina.

With the recent scare, some pilgrims say they are praying for calm and peace so that they can go through the remaining rituals without fear or distraction.

“We just want to complete our Hajj in peace and return to Ghana safely. We have prayed too much to come here. God should protect us,” a 68-year-old woman from Tamale said tearfully.

Concerns About Accommodation and Safety

This incident has also reignited discussions about the kind of hotels used for Ghanaian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Some critics back home in Ghana have often complained that the hotel arrangements for pilgrims are not always the best, especially in terms of safety, cleanliness, and comfort.

After this incident, many are now calling on the Ghana Hajj Board to review their contracts with Saudi hotels and ensure that only safe and well-maintained buildings are used to accommodate Ghanaian Muslims who make the spiritual journey.

“Our parents are sleeping in these places. The board must make sure everything is safe. They should not wait for disaster before acting,” a concerned relative said in Accra.

Ghanaian Public Reacts on Social Media

News of the incident quickly spread on social media, with many Ghanaians expressing shock, concern, and gratitude that no lives were lost. Messages of support and prayers flooded platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp.

Some users called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ghana Hajj Secretariat to provide updates and ensure pilgrims’ safety is not compromised again.

Others commended the quick response of Saudi emergency services, which prevented what could have turned into a tragic event.

Conclusion: Prayers for a Peaceful Hajj

Even though the scare at Rafahya Al-Seteen Hotel was serious enough to cause panic and fear, it ended without injury or loss of life—and for that, Ghanaians both home and abroad are thanking God.

This should, however, serve as a wake-up call to both Ghanaian and Saudi authorities to double-check accommodation standards, review safety protocols, and ensure that all pilgrims are protected—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually—as they go through this sacred Islamic journey.

For now, Ghanaian pilgrims in Mecca have returned to their rooms and are preparing to continue with the Hajj rituals. Many have said they are trusting God to see them through to the end of the pilgrimage safely.