Egyptian PM orders crackdown on illegal hajj tours following deaths
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President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi directed a "crisis cell," led by Madbouly, to investigate the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims.
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Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun as they arrive to cast stones at pillars in the symbolic stoning of the devil, the last rite of the annual hajj, in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, June 18, 2024 (AP)
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has taken decisive action against 16 tourism companies implicated in organizing illegal pilgrimages to Mecca, leading to tragic deaths, the cabinet announced on Saturday.
The move follows reports of over 1,100 deaths during this year's hajj pilgrimage, with many attributed to extreme heat conditions in Saudi Arabia. According to an AFP tally, the toll includes 658 deaths of Egyptian nationals, of which 630 were unregistered pilgrims.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi directed a "crisis cell," led by Madbouly, to investigate the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims.
"The prime minister has ordered the revocation of licenses from these companies, the referral of their managers to the public prosecutor, and the imposition of fines to support the families of the deceased pilgrims," the cabinet statement read.
The cabinet noted that the surge in deaths among unregistered Egyptian pilgrims was due to companies organizing hajj trips using personal visit visas, which prohibit access to Mecca through official channels.
Read more: Hajj death toll tops 1,000 after extreme heat: AFP
More than 50,000 Egyptians officially participated in the pilgrimage, with 31 deaths reported from chronic illnesses, according to the statement.
Companies accused of facilitating unauthorized hajj trips allegedly failed to provide adequate services, resulting in exhaustion and health risks for unregistered pilgrims in extreme temperatures.
A senior Saudi official defended the kingdom's management of the hajj, acknowledging 577 confirmed deaths during the busiest days of the pilgrimage due to harsh weather conditions.
The hajj, one of Islam's five pillars, attracts millions annually, with Saudi Arabia allocating permits through a quota system.
Despite the costs, some pilgrims attempt the journey without permits, risking arrest and deportation if caught.
Read more: Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat amid soaring temperatures
Dictated by the Islamic lunar calendar, the pilgrimage's timing often coincides with the scorching Saudi summer, complicating outdoor rituals.
Saudi officials reported approximately 1.8 million participants this year, with 1.6 million arriving from abroad, maintaining similar figures to previous years despite challenges posed by the weather.
The formal conclusion of the hajj was on Wednesday, marking a significant religious event amid ongoing safety and logistical considerations.
