MAKKAH, 17 January 2005 — Interior Minister Prince Naif is hosting the families of soldiers who died fighting terrorism to perform Haj. This is in gratitude to the families of the soldiers who died during the past year serving and protecting the country from terrorist groups.
Accident Victims Taken to Makkah
MADINAH, 17 January 2005 — The final transfer of pilgrims who were involved in the accident last week as they went from Makkah to Madinah will take place today. The accident victims will be moved from King Fahd Hospital in Madinah to Makkah. The accident resulted in the death of one Dutch woman and injured many others, most of whom were Dutch citizens of Moroccan origin. In coordination with the authorities, Dr. Osama Al-Amoudi, the director of health affairs in Madinah, will supervise the departure of the injured pilgrims in Saudi Red Crescent ambulances. A nurse will accompany each pilgrim in the ambulance.(Yousuf Muhammad)
Over 9,000 Security Cameras in Makkah
MAKKAH, 17 January 2005 — More than 9,000 security cameras will supervise the safety of pilgrims in the holy sites in Makkah, Okaz reported. Gen. Ateeq Al-Harbi, director of the police in Makkah, said there would be 1,155 speakers all over Makkah and the holy sites to serve pilgrims. More than 400 soldiers and 181 officers from the King Fahd Security College will participate in Haj work.
112 Pilgrim Deaths Reported
MADINAH, 17 January 2005 — This year 112 pilgrims have died before performing Haj, Okaz reported. Most of the pilgrims died of natural causes with five pilgrims dying as a result of accidents. A Dutch woman and a Thai man died as a result of traffic accidents; an Afghani and a Turk died when they fell from tall buildings and an Indian pilgrim died of a fall in Makkah. All but one of the pilgrims were buried in Madinah; the exception was a Pakistani whose body was returned to Pakistan in accordance with his family’s wishes.
