Egypt has withdrawn the operating licenses of 16 tourism companies and referred them to the public prosecutor, holding them accountable for the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims in Mecca.
The crisis unit, led by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and formed on Thursday, announced this on Saturday.
Medical and security sources reported that at least 530 Egyptians died during this year’s hajj pilgrimage, while the crisis unit confirmed that 31 of these deaths resulted from chronic illnesses.
According to the unit’s statement, the tourism companies failed to provide essential services, including medical assistance, and facilitated travel on personal visit visas instead of hajj visas. This forced pilgrims to endure dangerous conditions, including walking through the desert to avoid arrest or deportation.
The lack of proper accommodation and medical services contributed to the exhaustion and deaths of many pilgrims in the extreme heat, with temperatures reaching as high as 51 degrees Celsius (124 degrees Fahrenheit).
The authorities highlighted that most of those who died were unregistered pilgrims. Meanwhile, 31 deaths among registered pilgrims were attributed to chronic diseases. This tragedy is part of a broader issue, with hundreds of pilgrims from various countries succumbing to harsh conditions during the pilgrimage.
