Egypt has revoked the operating licenses of 16 tourism companies and referred them to the public prosecutor, holding them responsible for the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims in Mecca, according to a crisis unit led by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.
Medical and security sources report that at least 530 Egyptians died during this year’s hajj pilgrimage, with 31 deaths confirmed to result from chronic illnesses.
The implicated tourism companies failed to provide essential services, including medical assistance, to the deceased pilgrims, according to the statement.
These companies allegedly sent pilgrims on personal visit visas rather than hajj visas, which grant access to Mecca for the pilgrimage rituals.
Pilgrims with personal visas did not receive the medical services provided by Saudi authorities for hajj pilgrims.
Many had to walk through the desert into Mecca to avoid arrest or deportation, leading to severe exhaustion due to high temperatures. The companies also failed to provide appropriate accommodation, further contributing to the pilgrims’ hardships.
Egyptian authorities documented 31 deaths among registered Egyptian pilgrims, attributing them to chronic diseases. Most fatalities occurred among unregistered pilgrims.
Amid extreme temperatures reaching up to 51 degrees Celsius (124 Fahrenheit), hundreds of pilgrims from various countries have died in the harsh conditions during the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
