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There was a fire incident at a hotel accommodating 484 Nigerian pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said.
A statement by the spokesperson for HAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara, said that the fire at the hotel located at Shari Mansur Street in Mecca, occurred around 12:00 noon Saudi time on Saturday.
Noting that no life was lost and that all pilgrims are safely in Mina, Usara said that immediate emergency response by Saudi authorities and the hotel management helped to contain the fire swiftly and prevent it from spreading all over the building.
She added that following the incident, the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, alongside Commissioner Policy Personnel Management and Finance, Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazak and Deputy Makkah Coordinator, Director Alidu Shutti promptly visited the location to assess the situation and ensure that the welfare of the affected pilgrims is prioritized.
“Expressing concern during the visit, Professor Abdullahi ordered for immediate relocation of the affected pilgrims to a new accommodation. He commiserated with the affected pilgrims, assuring that the Commission will provide every possible support within its capacity to cushion the impact of the incident.
“The Chairman thanked Almighty Allah that no life was lost in this unfortunate incident, promising that NAHCON will work with the affected Tour Operators to ensure that pilgrims are relocated and provided with the necessary assistance. The Chairman and his team have already inspected the new building and concluded arrangements for the pilgrims’ resettlement.
“The Chairman and Commissioner PPMF appreciated the prompt response of the Saudi emergency services and the cooperation of the hotel staff in managing the situation,” the statement read in part.
It added that further updates will be communicated as necessary.
