Saudi Red Crescent Reports 23,709 Emergency Calls In Makkah During Ramadan's First Half

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) received 23,709 emergency reports in Makkah Region during the first half of Ramadan, within its plan to support pilgrims and visitors at the Grand Mosque. The 10th day of Ramadan recorded 1,860 reports, with activity peaking between 4:00 p.m. and midnight.

SRCA said the operational plan for Ramadan in Makkah Region aims to secure rapid medical response for worshippers, particularly in and around the Grand Mosque. Resources are distributed to match crowd levels, with teams positioned to handle urgent cases during the busiest evening and night hours.

The authority reported that many incidents required higher levels of care, while others were treated on site. The figures below summarise key indicators from the first half of Ramadan, reflecting workload across ground, specialist, and air services supporting the Grand Mosque area.

A total of 8,798 cases were transported from incident locations to healthcare facilities so that medical treatment could be completed. Specialised emergency tracks registered 41 cardiac catheterisation cases and 49 stroke cases. These cases were managed under approved clinical protocols to secure fast assessment, early intervention, and transfer to designated specialised centres.

Emergency care units placed inside the Grand Mosque supported faster handling of urgent cases among worshippers. Advanced stations were equipped with resuscitation devices and vital-sign monitoring equipment. These points were located at high-density areas, including the mataf, internal corridors, and external courtyards, to shorten response distances during peak crowding.

The "Rufaidah" electric emergency chair was used to improve movement through crowded passages within the Grand Mosque. Its compact design and manoeuvrability allowed teams to reach patients more quickly. A stabilisation system on the chair helped maintain patient safety while moving over steps, slopes, and tight spaces.

Air ambulance crews dealt with 28 emergency cases in Makkah Region during the same period, transporting 15 patients by helicopter to hospitals for advanced medical care. Director General of the Saudi Red Crescent branch in Makkah Region Hassan Nafea said the reported numbers show the scale of field work and coordination with health partners to improve response speed and emergency service quality for Grand Mosque visitors.

With inputs from SPA