Fatshimetrie has been closely following recent news regarding Egyptian authorities revoking the licenses of 16 travel agencies following the deaths of several Egyptian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia this year after failing to obtain Hajj permits. .
Investigations revealed that these agencies committed fraud by irregularly transporting pilgrims without providing them with the necessary services. In response to these serious violations, the Prime Minister has been instructed to quickly revoke the licenses of these companies and bring those responsible to justice. In addition, fines will be imposed to support the families of pilgrims who died due to these violations.
The deaths of 323 Egyptian pilgrims during the Hajj in Mecca, mainly due to heat-related health problems, sparked outrage and prompted President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to create a crisis cell to investigate the deaths. death.
An immediate response was the openness of Basil al-Sisi, member of the General Assembly of the Associations of Egyptian Travel Agents, regarding the suspension of a category of Umrah visas following this tragedy. The B2C Umrah visa, which allowed pilgrims to obtain an electronic visa without going through an external agent, was suspended due to the chaos caused by the 2024 Hajj crisis caused by unregulated visas.
Sisi’s comments highlight the need for stricter regulation to avoid such incidents in the future. “The 2024 Hajj crisis is the result of the issuance of unregulated visas, and likely to lead to a suspension of B2C Umrah visas,” he said.
This decision reinforces the need for adequate supervision to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims. It is imperative that travel companies follow industry rules and standards, to avoid any similar tragedies in the future.
In conclusion, it is crucial for the Egyptian authorities to take strict measures to sanction erring travel agencies and ensure that such tragedies do not happen again in the future. The protection of pilgrims and compliance with safety standards must be a top priority for all stakeholders involved in the organization of religious trips.