The Egyptian government is taking stringent measures against 16 tourism companies following the deaths of over 1,100 pilgrims during the Hajj season, a significant number of whom were Egyptian. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has revoked the licenses of these companies and referred their officials to the public prosecutor for their role in facilitating illegal and unregistered pilgrimages. Investigations have highlighted the use of personal visit visas by these companies to bypass official procedures, leading to pilgrims being smuggled into the holy sites on foot and exposed to extreme heat. This negligence resulted in a lack of essential services and accommodations, contributing to the high mortality rate among the pilgrims..President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has ordered the formation of a crisis cell to oversee the situation and ensure the well-being of the remaining pilgrims, as well as to coordinate with Saudi authorities in identifying any missing individuals and repatriating the deceased. The crisis cell has also been tasked with analyzing DNA samples of unidentified deceased pilgrims to match them with their families in Egypt. Furthermore, the Egyptian government is considering imposing fines on the implicated companies as a form of restitution to the families of the victims.The tragedy has prompted a reevaluation of the procedures for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, with an emphasis on adhering to official channels and avoiding unofficial travel that poses significant risks to life. This incident has shed light on the critical need for better management and strict adherence to pilgrimage regulations to prevent such catastrophes in the future.
Key points
- Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has suspended 16 tourism companies for their role in the deaths of over 1,100 pilgrims during Hajj.
- The government is referring company officials to the public prosecutor and considering fines to compensate victims’ families.
- A crisis cell has been formed to investigate the tragedy and assist families of the deceased Egyptian pilgrims.
