MINA, 10 January 2006 — A leak in an underground water main in a domestic pilgrims’ camp in Mina caused over SR3,000 ($800) worth of damages.
The pipe suddenly started leaking around noon Friday beneath one of the camp’s tents. On Sunday, the leak forced the management to wrap up all the furniture inside the tent and evacuate the pilgrims living inside.
The water reached the street in front of the camp and it caused great difficulties for the people trying to cross. Afterward, the water continued flowing until it reached King Abdul Aziz Bridge, according to Tariq Saeed, the camp’s owner and operator.
“Only after the leak went out of control did we manage to get the attention of the services company and the responsible government agency,” said Saeed. “Each time I called a certain maintenance company they throw the blame on a counterpart.”
Finally, with the intervention of the Ministry of Water and Electricity, the concerned contractor came and repaired the pipe, two days after its leakage.
The camp was out of water for two days. Garbage cans were used as water containers next to the toilets as a temporary solution.
Saeed told Arab News that the contractor told the camp’s management that the water supply to the camp would not be restored before next morning.
ALJ Air Ambulance Program Launched
The community services program of the Abdul Lateef Jameel Co. has launched an experimental project to provide air-ambulance transport in Arafat. The company handed over the first helicopter to the Saudi Red Crescent Society yesterday.
In the three-year project, the ALJ will provide additional helicopters, as well as cover the operating expenses. The Red Crescent Society of Saudi Arabia will handle the medical, administrative and civil services of the air ambulance.
In the initial stage, the service will transport patients from one hospital to another. The project will later be expanded to utilize the air ambulance to pick up injured people at the accident scene.
The air ambulance is one of various philanthropy projects of the ALJ. Others include building new clinics, and providing other emergency vehicles.
