Mecca on alert as Saudi Arabia issues warning messages; Jeddah, Yanbu, Tabuk among areas flagged
Mecca and several other parts of Saudi Arabia have been placed on alert after the kingdom's National Early Warning Platform sent warning messages about potential danger, the Saudi Civil Defense said.
Mecca is home to some of the holiest sites in Islam and the focal point of the annual hajj pilgrimage. (Reuters)“A warning has been issued by the National Early Warning Platform in Mecca City to alert of a potential danger,” a post by the directorate of Saudi Civil Defense on X stated, while issuing instructions for residents.
However, the department, in a post minutes later after the warning, said the danger had passed for Mecca City, Tabuk Province, Jeddah Governate, and Yanbu Governate.
The Civil Defense had urged people who receive the alerts to remain calm, follow official instructions and immediately move to the nearest safe place, such as inside a building or an interior room away from windows, and remain there until the danger has passed.
People were also advised not to leave their homes or buildings until the danger is over, stay away from open areas, windows, glass, balconies and rooftops, and avoid crowds or dangerous areas.
Those outdoors were instructed to enter the nearest building or take shelter behind a solid barrier. People receiving the warning while driving should pull over to the side of the road, away from bridges and high-rise buildings, the Saudi Civil Defense said. The Civil Defense also advised people not to take photographs or approach dangerous locations.
According to the Saudi Civil Defense guidance, people who noticed any danger were asked to contact 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and 998 in other parts of the kingdom. Authorities also urged residents to follow instructions issued through official channels.
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