Egypt has revoked the operating licenses of 16 tourism companies and referred them to the public prosecutor.
This act comes after accusations that these companies were implicated in the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims in Mecca during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
According to medical and security sources, at least 530 Egyptians lost their lives during the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, the crisis unit led by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly confirmed 31 deaths attributed to chronic illness in its Saturday statement.
The statement indicated that the tourism companies that facilitated the travel of the deceased failed to provide any services, including medical assistance.
The companies were not named in the statement. Additionally, the agencies are accused of sending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on personal visit visas instead of hajj visas, which are required for access to Mecca and participation in the hajj rituals.
The statement added that Saudi authorities do not extend medical services to those traveling with personal visas, exacerbating the challenges faced by pilgrims during the journey.
It also noted that the deceased pilgrims were compelled to trek through the desert into Mecca to evade the risk of arrest or deportation.
Egyptian authorities have reported that the travel agencies failed to provide “adequate accommodation,” which contributed to the pilgrims’ exhaustion in high temperatures.
They have also documented 31 deaths among registered Egyptian pilgrims, citing “chronic diseases” as the cause.
According to the statement, most of those who died were unregistered.
Lately, harsh conditions during the Hajj pilgrimage in the Saudi city have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people from various countries.
Temperatures have occasionally exceeded 51 degrees Celsius (124 degrees Fahrenheit).
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