83% of all deaths during the Hajj trip in 2024—1,079 out of 1,301—were caused by those traveling without a valid authorization, according to a report released on Tuesday by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior.
Security spokesperson Colonel Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub emphasized the proactive measures to step up media and awareness campaigns against doing the Hajj without a permit and to impose harsher penalties for violators in an interview with Al-Arabiya.
He brought up the fact that certain people in the Kingdom have been exploiting visitation visas and other non-Hajj-specific permits.
Colonel Shalhoub also mentioned that certain travel agencies in a number of friendly nations have misled individuals with visitation visas by providing them with visas that aren’t meant for the Hajj and pushing them to break the law by remaining in Makkah two months ahead of the hajj season.
The spokesman emphasized that a Hajj permit is more than just a transit card; rather, it is an essential instrument that makes pilgrims’ access easier and helps authorities locate them so that they can swiftly offer the care and services they need. For some of the violators, providing services and healthcare is difficult due to the lack of a permit.
Colonel Shalhoub spoke on the ongoing updates posted on the Public Security’s official social media accounts about the arrest and prosecution of those who promote fraudulent Hajj campaigns.
He also valued the strong actions that certain friendly nations had taken against these dishonest businesses, as well as the remedial procedures that they had put in place to avoid similar infractions in the future.
