Egypt Suspends 16 Tourism Companies Following Hajj Pilgrim Deaths

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).

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