The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has confirmed that all 484 Nigerian pilgrims staying at a hotel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, are safe after a fire broke out in the building.
The fire happened on Saturday around 12 p.m. (Saudi time) at the Imaratus Sanan Hotel located on Shari Mansur Street. The hotel was being used by six Nigerian private tour operators to accommodate their pilgrims.
In a statement signed by Fatima Usara, the Assistant Director of Information and Publications at NAHCON, the Commission said, “All 484 Nigerian pilgrims affected by the fire are safe and accounted for.”
According to her, the quick response from Saudi emergency officials and the hotel staff helped to stop the fire from spreading.
NAHCON’s Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Usman, visited the hotel site soon after the fire with other top officials, including the Commissioner of Policy, Personnel Management and Finance, Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazak, and Director Alidu Shutti.
During the visit, Professor Usman gave orders for all affected pilgrims to be moved to another hotel and assured them of support.
He said, “I thank Almighty Allah that no life was lost in this unfortunate incident. NAHCON will work with the affected tour operators to ensure that the pilgrims are relocated and properly taken care of.”
He also promised that the Commission would provide everything needed to reduce the hardship caused by the incident.
Officials said inspections of a new hotel have already been completed and arrangements to resettle the pilgrims are underway.
NAHCON also praised the Saudi emergency services and hotel staff for acting fast and helping to manage the situation.
More updates will be given by the Commission as needed.
