The Egyptian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, has intensified its response to the catastrophic loss of life during this year’s Hajj season, which claimed the lives of over 1,100 pilgrims, with a significant number being Egyptian nationals. In a decisive move, licenses for 16 tourism companies have been revoked, and their officials have been referred to the public prosecutor for their involvement in facilitating illegal pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia. The government’s crackdown targets those who exploited personal visit visas to bypass official Hajj channels, leading to the pilgrims’ exposure to extreme heat and lack of essential services with temperatures soaring above 51 degrees Celsius and causing heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses among the pilgrims who were forced to traverse desert routes. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has underscored the urgency of coordinating with Saudi authorities to repatriate the bodies of deceased Egyptian pilgrims and provide necessary support to their families. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has established a crisis center to aid pilgrims, documenting over 300 calls from those needing information and assistance. This center is part of a broader initiative to ensure the safety and well-being of Egyptian pilgrims, including the provision of medical care and the facilitation of smooth travel logistics. The Egyptian government is also working to amend tourism laws to prevent future tragedies, emphasizing the importance of adhering to official pilgrimage procedures. These efforts aim to protect Egyptian citizens and uphold the sanctity of the Hajj pilgrimage, which is a pillar of the Islamic faith and requires careful planning and regulation to ensure the safety of all participants.
Key points
- Egypt revokes licenses of 16 tourism companies following the deaths of over 1,100 pilgrims during the Hajj season.
- Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi coordinate efforts to support affected families and repatriate deceased pilgrims.
- The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities establishes a crisis center, receiving over 300 calls from pilgrims needing assistance.
