Tragedy in Mecca: Egyptian Pilgrims Suffer Amid Extreme Heat

The death toll of Egyptians participating in the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca has risen to 672, with another 25 reported missing due to extreme heat. A crisis unit has suspended 16 tourism companies' licenses, holding them responsible for the deaths primarily of unregistered pilgrims.

The toll of Egyptians who died taking part in the haj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, amid extreme heat, has risen to 672 while another 25 are missing, security and medical sources told Reuters on Sunday.

A crisis unit tasked with investigating the situation said in a statement on Saturday it has suspended licenses of 16 tourism companies and referred them to the public prosecutor, accusing them of being responsible for deaths it said were mainly among pilgrims not registered under the official system.

The unit, formed on Thursday and headed by prime minister Mostafa Madbouly, said 31 deaths were confirmed as a result of chronic illness among officially registered pilgrims.