Five NTB Hajj Pilgrims Die in Saudi Arabia Due to Pneumonia and Heart Attacks

Five Hajj pilgrims from Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) have died in Saudi Arabia. The deceased were from flight groups 4, 9, 12, 14, and 15.

Ferry Wardhana, head of Team IV at the Mataram Class 1 Health Quarantine Agency (BKK), stated that the five NTB Hajj pilgrims who died in Saudi Arabia succumbed to pneumonia and heart attacks. “Three died from pneumonia, two from heart attacks,” Ferry said on Friday, 29 May 2026.

Lalu Muhamad Amin, head of the NTB Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj), said the deceased comprised three women and two men, hailing from West Sumbawa, East Lombok, and Central Lombok.

“The pilgrims’ deaths occurred before the Armuzna phase (Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina), the peak of Hajj rituals,” Amin explained.

Amin cited factors including advanced age, pre-existing health conditions, and fatigue due to high temperatures in Saudi Arabia. “Some pilgrims with deteriorating health likely experienced extreme fatigue, leading to a decline in their condition and eventual death,” he said.

So far, NTB pilgrims from kloter 1 to 15 remain in good health, though some have experienced health deterioration due to fatigue after the peak Hajj rituals. Several are under observation by health teams in Saudi Arabia. “During the stoning ritual, some pilgrims showed signs of functional decline due to extreme fatigue. The decline often occurs after activities such as returning to the hotel, causing physical exhaustion,” Amin said.

To maintain pilgrims’ health, Hajj officials in Saudi Arabia continue monitoring both on-site and at local healthcare facilities to prevent further incidents and ensure stability. “Health teams are assigned to accompany and monitor cases with deteriorating conditions. Food services and logistical support are reported to be adequate, aiding on-ground efforts,” Amin added.

As a note, NTB’s 2026 Hajj pilgrim count reached 5,862, though three were unable to depart due to not meeting the Saudi government’s eligibility criteria.