Saudi civil defence ready for hasty pilgrims departure Saturday

Saudi civil defense forces, participating in the implementation of Hajj emergency response plan, are ready to deal with any potential risks related to the departure of large numbers of hasty pilgrims.

They are scheduled to leave Mina Saturday to perform the farewell tawaaf at Mecca's Holy Mosque.

All preventive measures were taken to keep the pilgrims safe on roads leading to the Jamarat facility and the Grand Mosque, commander of the civil defense forces in Mina Maj.-Gen. Ali bin Atallah Al Otaibi said.

Motorcycles equipped with fire extinguishers will accompany the pilgrims until they arrive at the Grand Mosque, he added.

All civil defense teams will remain in their positions in Mina until the end of the Hajj session, Otaibi said.