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In response to the tragic deaths of Egyptian pilgrims during this year’s hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Egypt has taken decisive action. The country has revoked the operating licenses of 16 tourism companies and referred them to the public prosecutor. This comes after at least 530 Egyptians lost their lives during the pilgrimage, with 31 deaths confirmed as a result of chronic illness.

A crisis unit, headed by the prime minister, was formed to address the situation and has emphasized the negligence of the tourism companies involved. These companies allegedly failed to provide necessary services, including medical assistance, to the pilgrims they facilitated. Instead of obtaining hajj visas that allow access to Mecca and its rituals, the pilgrims were sent on personal visit visas, denying them access to essential medical services offered by Saudi authorities.

The crisis unit’s statement also condemned the lack of appropriate accommodation provided by the travel agencies, leading to exhaustion and health complications among the pilgrims, especially in Mecca’s extreme temperatures, which have exceeded 51 degrees Celsius (124 Fahrenheit) at times.

It’s important to note that most of the deceased were unregistered pilgrims, further complicating the situation. This year’s hajj pilgrimage has been marked by a significant number of deaths from various countries, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by pilgrims in Mecca.