🇪🇬 Egypt revokes the operating licenses of 16 tourism companies and reports them to the public prosecutor following Haj-related fatalities, reports say

According to the country’s medical and security sources, a total of 530 Egyptians lost their lives during the annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca this year due to extreme heat. On Thursday, with a view to investigate the deaths, a crisis unit was established in Egypt.

🕋 The tourism companies that assisted the deceased travelers did not offer any services, including medical assistance. The agencies are criticized for sending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on personal visit visas instead of haj visas, which grant access to Mecca for religious rituals.

Those traveling on personal visas did not receive medical services provided by Saudi authorities. The pilgrims who passed away had to walk through the desert to reach Mecca to prevent arrest or expulsion.