Mecca and several other parts of Saudi Arabia were placed on alert on Thursday after the kingdom’s National Early Warning Platform issued messages warning of potential danger, the Saudi Civil Defense said.
The affected areas included Mecca City, Jeddah Governorate, Yanbu Governorate and Tabuk Province.
The Saudi Civil Defense initially urged people receiving the alerts to remain calm, follow official instructions and immediately move to a safe location, preferably inside a building or an interior room away from windows.
However, in a subsequent update issued minutes later, the department said the danger had passed in Mecca City, Tabuk Province, Jeddah Governorate and Yanbu Governorate.
What did Saudi Civil Defense advise?
During the alert, residents were instructed to remain indoors until the danger had passed.
The Civil Defense advised people to:
- Stay inside homes or buildings and move to interior rooms away from windows.
- Avoid open areas, windows, glass, balconies and rooftops.
- Stay away from crowds and potentially dangerous locations.
- Follow instructions issued through official Saudi channels.
- Avoid approaching or photographing dangerous areas.
People who were outdoors when the warning was received were told to enter the nearest building or take shelter behind a solid barrier.
Instructions for motorists
People who received the warning while driving were advised to pull over safely on the side of the road.
The Civil Defense said motorists should stay away from bridges and high-rise buildings while taking shelter.
Authorities also advised residents not to approach potentially dangerous locations or attempt to photograph them.
Emergency numbers in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Civil Defense said people who notice any danger should contact 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
The emergency number for other parts of Saudi Arabia is 998, according to the Civil Defense guidance.
Authorities urged residents to rely on official channels for further instructions and updates.
Danger later declared over
The initial alert caused concern in several parts of the kingdom, including Mecca, a major religious centre that receives millions of visitors during the annual Hajj and throughout the year.
However, the Saudi Civil Defense later stated that the danger had passed in all four areas identified in its warning: Mecca City, Tabuk Province, Jeddah Governorate and Yanbu Governorate.
The Civil Defense did not, in the supplied update, specify the nature or cause of the potential danger that triggered the National Early Warning Platform messages.
