Monday, October 16, 2006

It happens all the time - Pilgrims stranded, Again

More than 4,000 Egyptian Umrah pilgrims are stuck in Jordan and at two Egyptian ports because of failing transportation procedures that were agreed on following the drowning of pilgrims in the Red Sea earlier this year.

The pilgrims are currently stuck at the Jordanian port of Aqaba and two Egyptian ports. Saudi and Egyptian authorities decided on new transportation procedures after a sharp drop in pilgrims sailing across the Red Sea from Egypt. The drop came as a result of the capsizing of the Al-Salam ship in February. In addition, many vessels that would ferry between Egypt and the Kingdom went out of service without any alternative ships taking their place. (Arab News)