Egypt revokes licenses of 16 tourism firms after pilgrims die in Mecca

Egypt has revoked the licenses of 16 tourism companies and referred them to the public prosecutor, holding them responsible for the tragic deaths of Egyptian pilgrims during this year’s haj pilgrimage in Mecca, according to a Reuters report.

Medical and security sources indicate that at least 530 Egyptians died during the haj. A crisis unit, established on Thursday and headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, confirmed that 31 of these deaths were attributed to chronic illnesses, the report added.

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The crisis unit’s statement accuses the tourism companies of neglecting to provide essential services, including medical care, to the pilgrims. These companies, whose names have not been disclosed, allegedly sent pilgrims on personal visit visas rather than the required haj visas, denying them access to vital medical services provided by Saudi authorities.

The statement emphasises the severe consequences for these pilgrims, who had to traverse the desert to reach Mecca to avoid arrest or deportation. The harsh conditions they faced contributed significantly to their exhaustion and subsequent deaths, with temperatures reaching over 51 degrees Celsius (124 Fahrenheit).

Egyptian authorities also criticized the travel agencies for failing to provide appropriate accommodation, which worsened the pilgrims’ exhaustion due to extreme heat. The crisis unit’s findings show that most of the deceased were unregistered pilgrims, increasing scrutiny on the implicated tourism companies.