The death toll of Egyptians participating in the haj pilgrimage to Mecca has risen to 672 amid extreme heat, with another 25 missing, security and medical sources reported on Sunday.
A crisis unit, formed on Thursday and led by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, has suspended the licenses of 16 tourism companies and referred them to the public prosecutor. These companies are accused of being responsible for the deaths, primarily among pilgrims not registered under the official system.
The crisis unit confirmed that 31 deaths were due to chronic illness among officially registered pilgrims.