Sunday, June 23, 2024
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Egypt has taken decisive action following the tragic deaths of Egyptian pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca this year. The country revoked the licenses of 16 tourism companies and sent their cases to the public prosecutor. This comes after it was confirmed that at least 530 Egyptians lost their lives during the pilgrimage, 31 of whom died from chronic illnesses.
A Crisis Management Unit headed by the Prime Minister was formed to deal with the situation, highlighting the negligence of the tourist companies involved, who allegedly did not provide the necessary services, including medical assistance, to the pilgrims. Instead of obtaining Hajj visas granting access to Mecca and its rituals, the pilgrims were sent on personal visit visas and were unable to access the essential medical services provided by the Saudi authorities.
A statement from the Crisis Management Unit blamed travel agencies for failing to provide adequate accommodation, which led to fatigue and health problems among pilgrims, especially in Mecca’s extreme temperatures, which can exceed 51 degrees Celsius (124 degrees Fahrenheit).
It should be noted that most of the deaths were unregistered pilgrims, further complicating the situation. This year’s Hajj pilgrimage has seen a large number of deaths from different countries, highlighting the difficult situation facing pilgrims in Mecca.
