170 worshipers at Grand Mosque treated for fatigue, stress

Civil Defense medics prepare to take a worshiper who fainted amid the heat and large crowd at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Friday. (SPA)

A Civil Defense member assists a pilgrim who fell ill on Friday amid the heat and large crowd at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (SPA)

Civil Defense medics take to a health center a worshiper who fainted amid the heat and large crowd at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Friday. (SPA)

MAKKAH: Civil defense teams have rescued 170 pilgrims and worshippers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah who had collapsed due to fatigue and stress, the Saudi press Agency (SPA) said on Saturday.
Brigadier Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, Director of Civil Defense, said most of the cases involved the elderly who got sick or fainted because they’re exposed and stressed due to a large gathering of pilgrims during Friday prayer.
Civil defense teams provided emergency services and transferred them to the nearest health centers in coordination with the Red Crescent Society.
Ahmed stressed that the civil defense increased deployment of staff in the Holy Ka’aba to provide emergency services and treat the injured, the sick and the elderly who suffered any health problems during circumambulation.
The Makkah Grand Mosque force is equipped with the all necessary equipment and machinery such as ambulances and medical supplies to deal with any eventuality, SPA quoted Brigadier Ahmed as saying, adding that teams are stationed at all the entrances of the mosque and circumambulation areas.
Field teams have also been stationed for quick communication and immediately deal with any emergency during the Haj period, he added.
Two divisions of motorcycle teams have been allocated within the civil defense force to quickly pass through the crowd to expedite operation during any eventuality. A detailed plan has also been put in place for swift medical evacuation in coordination with various stakeholders including Red Crescent Society and the Ministry of Health, Ahmed said.