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JEDDAH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) airlifted 17 pilgrims who were injured in three separate road accidents on Friday, the first day of Dul Hijjah.
The first accident took place on the coastal road. “Two helicopters were sent to evacuate five accident victims who were in serious condition to King Abdulaziz Hospital in Jeddah,” said Capt. Abdul Hakim Al-Jawfi, director of SRCA’s air ambulance operations.
Al-Jawfi said the SRCA received another call from Madinah, where six pilgrims were injured. “Two of the six pilgrims were airlifted to a nearby hospital, because they were in serious condition. The rest were transferred by road,” he said.
The third accident was near Yalamlam, 125 km southeast of Makkah. “Six pilgrims were injured after their car got stuck in the sand,” said Al-Jawfi.
He stressed that the air ambulance teams were on around-the-clock alert to receive emergency calls from pilgrims in distress.
“This service is offered for free, and all pilgrims can call the number 997,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Civil Defense identified the locations for medical evacuation in the Grand Mosque, Mina, Jamrat complex, Arafat and on the Mashair Railway lines at a meeting in Makkah on Saturday. The meeting also discussed the medical evacuation strategy during Haj.
The medical wing under the Interior Ministry, Health Department, National Guard, armed forces, police, the Red Crescent and Makkah municipality will participate in evacuation activities.
The first accident took place on the coastal road. “Two helicopters were sent to evacuate five accident victims who were in serious condition to King Abdulaziz Hospital in Jeddah,” said Capt. Abdul Hakim Al-Jawfi, director of SRCA’s air ambulance operations.
Al-Jawfi said the SRCA received another call from Madinah, where six pilgrims were injured. “Two of the six pilgrims were airlifted to a nearby hospital, because they were in serious condition. The rest were transferred by road,” he said.
The third accident was near Yalamlam, 125 km southeast of Makkah. “Six pilgrims were injured after their car got stuck in the sand,” said Al-Jawfi.
He stressed that the air ambulance teams were on around-the-clock alert to receive emergency calls from pilgrims in distress.
“This service is offered for free, and all pilgrims can call the number 997,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Civil Defense identified the locations for medical evacuation in the Grand Mosque, Mina, Jamrat complex, Arafat and on the Mashair Railway lines at a meeting in Makkah on Saturday. The meeting also discussed the medical evacuation strategy during Haj.
The medical wing under the Interior Ministry, Health Department, National Guard, armed forces, police, the Red Crescent and Makkah municipality will participate in evacuation activities.
