A widely circulated claim on social media about a Hajj flight from Mauritania crashing and killing 210 pilgrims has been proven false, according to official sources and a detailed fact-check.
The viral news alleged that a plane carrying Hajj pilgrims from the West African nation of Mauritania to Saudi Arabia had met with a tragic accident, killing everyone on board. The post was accompanied by shocking images—one showing a plane crashing into the sea, and another of a burning aircraft on the ground.
However, upon verification, authorities in Mauritania have strongly denied the report.
In a statement issued by the Director of Hajj Affairs at Mauritania's Ministry of Religious Affairs, Al-Wali Taha, it was confirmed that “all Mauritanian pilgrims have safely arrived in Saudi Arabia, and no incident has occurred involving any Hajj flights.”
Mauritania Airlines also released an official clarification, stating that “all Hajj flights concluded without any incident, and neither the airline nor government bodies received any reports of accidents.”
A closer look at the images shared with the false reports reveals they are misleading and unrelated to the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. According to a reverse image search:
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The photo of a plane crashing into the sea is at least four years old and unrelated to any Hajj flight.
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The second image, depicting a burning aircraft, dates back to 2018 and has been reused out of context to fuel misinformation.
These findings confirm that the claims of a Mauritanian Hajj flight crash are entirely baseless and part of a disinformation campaign.
Social media users are urged to verify sensitive claims before sharing, especially those that can cause widespread panic and distress. Spreading false information about such emotionally significant events not only misleads the public but also disrespects the gravity of actual tragedies.
Verdict: ❌ False News
There has been no crash involving Mauritanian Hajj flights in 2025. All pilgrims are safe. The viral images are old and unrelated.
