Home World Egypt Suspends 16 Tourism Companies Following Hajj Pilgrim Deaths
World

Egypt Suspends 16 Tourism Companies Following Hajj Pilgrim Deaths

351
Photo Source: Mappr

Egypt has suspended the licenses of 16 tourism companies and referred them to the public prosecutor following the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims in Mecca.

A crisis unit led by Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly announced the actions on Saturday.

At least 530 Egyptians died during this year’s hajj pilgrimage, according to medical and security sources. The crisis unit confirmed that 31 of these deaths were due to chronic illnesses.

Without naming the companies, the crisis unit’s statement said the tourism companies involved did not provide any medical services to the pilgrims.

These companies are accused of sending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on personal visit visas instead of hajj visas, which are required to access Mecca. Without hajj visas, the pilgrims could not receive medical services offered by Saudi authorities and had to walk through the desert to avoid arrest or deportation.

The statement added that the lack of “appropriate accommodation” provided by these companies caused “exhaustion” among the pilgrims due to “high temperatures.”

Egyptian authorities noted that most of those who died were unregistered pilgrims. Nevertheless, they confirmed that 31 deaths among registered Egyptian pilgrims were due to chronic diseases.

Hundreds of pilgrims from various countries have recently died under harsh conditions during the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, where temperatures have sometimes exceeded 51 degrees Celsius (124 Fahrenheit).

Read More: Despite No Conventional War, Over 2 Million Benue Farmers Decries Living Conditions At IDP Camps

US Government Opposes Unsealing 9/11 Evidence Amid Victims ‘Families’ Legal Push

About The Author

Related Articles

United States tariff on Nigerian exports
FinanceNewsWorld

Trump Imposes Tariffs on Nigeria, Other African Nations

The United States has imposed a 14 per cent tariff on Nigerian...

NewsWorld

Nigerian U.S. Embassy and ICIR Cancel Training on “Foreign Influence” in Nigeria After WAW’s Report, Trump’s Foreign Policy Shift

A controversial U.S.-funded media training programme in Nigeria through the International Centre...

Tchiani Sworn in as President
NewsWorld

Tchiani Sworn in as Niger’s Transitional President for Five Years

General Abdourahamane Tchiani has been sworn in as Niger’s transitional president for...

Gabon Debt World Bank
FinanceNewsWorld

Gabon Repays $29.8 Million Debt to World Bank

The government announced that Gabon has fully repaid its debt to the...