A fire has gutted Imaratus Sanan Hotel, accommodating over 480 Nigerian pilgrims performing the 2025 Hajj through private tour operators.
Imararus Sanan Hotel is located in the Sharamansur area of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
The inferno, which tore through parts of the building on Saturday, caused significant damage, but no life was lost.
The pilgrims were not present at the hotel at the time of the incident, having departed earlier for Mina to partake in the symbolic stoning ritual, a central rite of the Hajj pilgrimage.
In a statement released by its spokesperson, Fatima Usara, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), confirmed the incident and expressed gratitude for the swift response of Saudi fire services and hotel staff, whose efforts helped contain the blaze and prevent any casualties.
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NAHCON Chairman Abdullahi Usman promptly visited the site to assess the extent of the damage.
Visibly shaken by the destruction, Usman offered comfort to the affected pilgrims and praised the prompt intervention of local authorities.
“Our priority is the safety and comfort of our pilgrims,” he said. “We have arranged immediate relocation to alternative accommodations and will provide every support within our capacity to minimise their distress.”
Usman also commended the Saudi fire service and the hotel management for their quick response to the incident.
