Menu
Latest
Menu
Latest
News

Egypt revokes licences of 16 tourism companies after 530 Hajj deaths

23 June 2024

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Saturday (22 June) revoked the licences of 16 tourism companies and referred their managers to the public prosecutor over illegal pilgrimages to Mecca, accusing them of being responsible for the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims in the city.

"The prime minister has ordered the cancellation of the licences of these companies, the referral of their managers to the public prosecutor and the imposition of a fine in favour of the families of the pilgrims who died because of them," the Egyptian cabinet statement said.


The cabinet statement said that more than 50,000 Egyptians had officially joined the pilgrimage and that there had been "31 deaths as a result of chronic diseases". The order also came after countries whose citizens performed this year's hajj reported more than 1,100 deaths, many blamed on the scorching summer heat in Saudi Arabia. 

Medical and security sources say at least 530 Egyptians died during this year's hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, while the statement from the unit, formed on Thursday and headed by Prime Minister Madbouly, said 31 deaths had been confirmed as a result of chronic illness.

 

Source: commonspace.eu with agencies

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged
Trending

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

9 June 2021
Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Thai-Cambodia border clashes enter fourth day
Trending

Thai-Cambodia border clashes enter fourth day

11 December 2025
Renewed fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has entered its fourth day, with both sides accusing one another of violating international law, as they await a promised phone call from United States President Donald Trump. Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence accused Thailand’s military of carrying out numerous attacks within the country in the early hours of Thursday morning, including deploying tanks and artillery to strike targets in the country’s Pursat, Banteay Meanchey, and Oddar Meanchey provinces. In one such attack, Cambodia accused Thai soldiers of violating international humanitarian law by firing on civilians in Prey Chan village in Banteay Meanchey province. In another, it accused Thai forces of shelling “into Khnar Temple area”, and said Thai forces had also “fired artillery and support fire into the O’Smach area”. “Cambodia urges that Thailand immediately stop all hostile activities and withdraw its forces from Cambodia’s territorial integrity, and avoid acts of aggression that threaten peace and stability in the region,” the Defence Ministry said. Clashes took place on Wednesday at more than a dozen locations along the contested colonial-era demarcated 817-kilometre (508-mile) Thai-Cambodian border, with some of the most intense fighting being reported since a five-day battle in July, which saw dozens killed on both sides. Cambodia’s Ministry of the Interior said homes, schools, roads, Buddhist pagodas and ancient temples had been damaged by “Thailand’s intensified shelling and F-16 air strikes targeting villages and civilian population centres up to 30km [18.6 miles] inside Cambodian territory”. (click the image to read the full story).

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Thai-Cambodia border clashes enter fourth day
Trending

Thai-Cambodia border clashes enter fourth day

11 December 2025
Renewed fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has entered its fourth day, with both sides accusing one another of violating international law, as they await a promised phone call from United States President Donald Trump. Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence accused Thailand’s military of carrying out numerous attacks within the country in the early hours of Thursday morning, including deploying tanks and artillery to strike targets in the country’s Pursat, Banteay Meanchey, and Oddar Meanchey provinces. In one such attack, Cambodia accused Thai soldiers of violating international humanitarian law by firing on civilians in Prey Chan village in Banteay Meanchey province. In another, it accused Thai forces of shelling “into Khnar Temple area”, and said Thai forces had also “fired artillery and support fire into the O’Smach area”. “Cambodia urges that Thailand immediately stop all hostile activities and withdraw its forces from Cambodia’s territorial integrity, and avoid acts of aggression that threaten peace and stability in the region,” the Defence Ministry said. Clashes took place on Wednesday at more than a dozen locations along the contested colonial-era demarcated 817-kilometre (508-mile) Thai-Cambodian border, with some of the most intense fighting being reported since a five-day battle in July, which saw dozens killed on both sides. Cambodia’s Ministry of the Interior said homes, schools, roads, Buddhist pagodas and ancient temples had been damaged by “Thailand’s intensified shelling and F-16 air strikes targeting villages and civilian population centres up to 30km [18.6 miles] inside Cambodian territory”. (click the image to read the full story).