A fire has broken out at the Imaratus Sanan Hotel in the Sharamansur area of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which was housing over 480 Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj through private tour operators.
The incident occurred on Saturday and caused significant damage to parts of the building. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, as the pilgrims had already departed for Mina to participate in the symbolic stoning ritual, a key component of the Hajj rites.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Fatima Usara, and expressed gratitude for the swift intervention by the Saudi fire service and hotel staff, who managed to contain the blaze and prevent loss of life.
NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Usman, promptly visited the scene to assess the damage and reassure affected pilgrims. Visibly concerned, he commended the response efforts and emphasized that arrangements had been made for immediate relocation to alternative accommodations.
“Our priority is the safety and comfort of our pilgrims,” Usman said. “We will provide every necessary support to minimize the disruption caused by this incident.”
He also praised the Saudi emergency services and hotel management for their rapid response in containing the fire.
This is a developing story. More updates will be shared via the Intel Region WhatsApp group as they become available.
