Tunisia – Hajj 2024: 62 pilgrims dead and ten still untraceable

The number of deaths of Tunisian pilgrims in Mecca rose to 62 pilgrims, as of today, Thursday, June 27, 2024, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that it is continuing with the consular mission, in coordination with the head of the health mission, to visit several hospitals in the Makkah region to identify sick and lost citizens. “The Consulate General of the Tunisian Republic in Jeddah is monitoring the condition of sick pilgrims living in hospitals in the regions of Mecca, Taef, and Jeddah, numbering 13 cases, and lost pilgrims, numbering 10, to date.”

The ministry confirmed that a visit was made to the Al-Shumaisi Center in Mecca, during which it was disclosed that there were only two Tunisian pilgrims, whose status was settled with the Department of Passports. The Consulate General issues daily the required papers and transit permits for lost pilgrims and provides them with the necessary facilities to return to the country in the best possible conditions.

The ministry underlined that it was continuing its diplomatic and consular efforts in close coordination with the Saudi authorities and the competent national structures to ensure the best conditions for the return of pilgrims to their homeland.

Concerning the granting of tourist visas to thousands of Tunisians by Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar underscored Thursday during a press conference that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot meddle in the affairs of other countries in granting tourist visas, and this cannot be stopped. He said: “We do not place responsibility on any ministry or other party,” underlining that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs carried out its mission within the limits of the tasks assigned to it, given that it is directly responsible for all Tunisians outside the country, including pilgrims, but it takes no accountability for what occurred, given that it does not interfere with those who are authorized to perform this ritual nor with their condition health.