MAKKAH: The Kingdom’s Unified Hajj Media Operations Center held its second press briefing, with spokespersons from the ministries of interior, health, and transport and logistics outlining key security, health, and mobility updates.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed the smooth arrival of pilgrims through all entry points, including participants from 10 countries under the Makkah Route initiative, and their safe transfer to Mina for the Day of Tarwiyah.
Security forces used artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to monitor entry points, leading to the arrest of 231 illegal transport operators and 246 fake Hajj campaigns, with a noted decline in regulatory violations.
The Ministry of Health reported a stable, epidemic-free situation. More than 1,095,000 health services were provided, including 28,817 emergency cases, 222 cardiac catheterizations, 13 open-heart surgeries, and 318 other procedures.
Preventive measures such as misting systems, shaded walkways, and drone delivery of medical supplies within five minutes helped manage heat stress, with all 28 reported heat exhaustion cases fully recovered.
The transport and logistics sector activated over 100 operational plans supported by 46,000 personnel. Air operations provided 2 million seats across 12,000 flights, while land transport deployed 33,000 inspected buses and 5,000 taxis.
In rail transport, the Haramain High Speed Railway increased capacity by 11 percent to serve 2.2 million pilgrims, while the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro transported 2 million pilgrims, adjusting schedules to speed up movement from Mina to Arafat.
Logistics operations also included moving 1.2 million tonnes of cargo, handling 2.6 million livestock, and delivering 470,000 bags to 380,000 pilgrims under the “Hajj Without Luggage” initiative.
The sector also rolled out infrastructure upgrades, including 14,000 sq. meters of road-cooling coatings near metro stations and a self-driving bus trial at the Quba Mosque in Madinah.
