Mass casualties during Hajj pilgrimage: Egypt cracks down on travel firms responsible
More than a thousand individuals have perished during the recent Hajj pilgrimage in the oppressive heat of Saudi Arabia, as reported by news agency AFP. The victims included 658 individuals from Egypt, a majority of whom were apparently not officially registered for the pilgrimage.
This five-day religious event in Saudi Arabia is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, requiring every physically capable and affluent Muslim to participate at least once in their lifetime. Many of the believers participating in the Hajj lacked an official pilgrimage permit, thus going unnoticed by the Saudi Arabian authorities.
Prior to the Hajj, the Saudi authorities purportedly expelled hundreds of thousands of unregistered pilgrims from Mecca. Some of these individuals reportedly still chose to participate in the Hajj, which commenced on June 14.
These unregistered pilgrims were particularly vulnerable to temperatures exceeding 51°C. Without a permit, they had no access to air-conditioned rest areas established by the authorities for the 1.8 million authorized pilgrims to take a break from the long marches and prayers held under the open sky.
Following the deaths of 49 Tunisian pilgrims, the Tunisian Minister of Religious Affairs was dismissed on Friday. The Presidency did not disclose any additional reasons for this decision.
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- The public prosecutor's office in Egypt has launched an investigation into tourism companies suspected of facilitating unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Egyptian citizens during the recent event.
- The AFP reported that the Egyptian government has imposed strict penalties on these travel agencies, including fines and potential legal actions, in an effort to prevent such tragedies in the future.
- A local pilgrim, expressing his concerns about the safety of the unregistered pilgrims, stated, "The Hajj is a sacred journey, but it's not worth risking one's life due to mismanagement and neglect from tourism companies and authorities alike."
- In response to the tragic events, Egyptian authorities have pledged to strengthen security measures and improve communication with pilgrims prior to their departure to Saudi Arabia, ensuring they follow proper procedures and obtain the necessary permits.
- The Saudi authorities, recognizing the significance of the Hajj and its repercussions on public safety, have vowed to collaborate with Egypt and other nations to enhance coordination and safety measures during the pilgrimage, honoring the sacred tradition while protecting the lives of millions of Muslim pilgrims.
