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Hajj 2024: Six Ghanaian pilgrims die as death toll reaches 8

Six more Ghanaian nationals have succumbed to the intense heat wave in Mecca, bringing the total number of pilgrim deaths during this year’s Hajj to eight.

Abdul Rahman Alhassan Gomda, the spokesperson for the Hajj Board, confirmed the report during an interview with Umaru Sanda on Eyewitness News.

He reported that the pilgrims, who were staying in Madina, faced extreme temperatures that soared above 41 degrees Celsius.

In an effort to protect the pilgrims from the severe heat, Saudi authorities issued a directive requiring all pilgrims to stay inside their tents during the hottest part of the day, from noon until 4 p.m. local time.

Initially, fatalities were reported among Georgian nationals, but it soon became apparent that Ghanaians were also among those who fell victim to the scorching temperatures.

Sky News has reported that the death toll for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage has exceeded 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.”

Last week, Chairman of the Hajj Board, Ben Abdallah Banda confirmed the death of two Ghanaian pilgrims.

The pilgrims, hailing from Damongo in the Savannah region, met their untimely demise on separate occasions, with one passing on Sunday, June 9, and the other on Wednesday, June 12.

Mr Banda also confirmed the birth of a boy by one Ghanaian pilgrim.

The latest report brings the total number of Ghanaian deaths to 8.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. In addition to his media ventures, Solomon serves as a Brand Ambassador for Alabuga, a prominent Russian industrial company, representing their interests and expansion across Africa. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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