225 pilgrims treated for heat stress and fatigue on second day of Hajj

225 pilgrims treated for heat stress and fatigue on second day of Hajj
1 / 3
Medics at the center for heat exhaustion and sunstroke in Makkah attend to a heat stroke victim on Saturday. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 16 June 2024
Follow

225 pilgrims treated for heat stress and fatigue on second day of Hajj

225 pilgrims treated for heat stress and fatigue on second day of Hajj
  • The cases were treated at the Medical Center for Heat Exhaustion and Sunstroke 

MAKKAH: About 225 cases of pilgrims suffering from heat stress and fatigue had been treated at the medical center for heat exhaustion and sunstroke in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The cases were reported on Saturday, the second day of Hajj, when pilgrims ascended Mount Arafat to ask God for mercy, blessings, prosperity and good health.

The ritual at Mount Arafat, known as the Hill of Mercy, is considered the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage. 

 




Medics at the center for heat exhaustion and sunstroke in Makkah attend to a heat stroke victim on Saturday. (SPA)

The center, affiliated with the Saudi Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, has 20 beds equipped with the latest equipment to deal with cases of heat stress and sunstroke.

It is also equipped with an air and water spray system using sprinklers to cover all parts of the injured person’s body, in addition to clinics for men and women and a pharmacy.

Saudi officials had earlier advised pilgrims to use umbrellas and keep themselves hydrated, and to take rest periods between rituals to avoid heat fatigue. 

The National Center for Meteorology had forecast that temperatures in Makkah would range between 45 C and 48 C, with little rain potential.

 


Saudi students display robotic inventions at Robocon 2025

Saudi students display robotic inventions at Robocon 2025
Updated 23 sec ago
Follow

Saudi students display robotic inventions at Robocon 2025

Saudi students display robotic inventions at Robocon 2025
  • Event was attended by student inventors, investors and technology companies
  • Several panel discussions focused on ways in which robotics can affect society

RIYADH: Saudi students displayed their robotic inventions at King Abdulaziz University Robocon 2025, which was held at the university’s King Faisal Convention Center from Tuesday to Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Organized by the university’s Deanship of Student Affairs, the event was attended by student inventors, investors and technology companies.

Saudi student Samar Awad Al-Rabi, from the Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences at King Abdulaziz University, presented a smart temperature-monitoring device, aimed at protecting sensitive environments from sudden thermal changes.

Rania Al-Mukhtar Al-Sheikh, from Taibah University, presented an innovative treatment for dry macular degeneration, an eye disease that affects vision.

The device treats and repairs damaged cells, reduces inflammation, and improves bloodflow without damaging healthy tissues with the hope of restoring or improving vision.

Exhibition activities included a range of qualitative competitions, including the “Saqr” competition, which is the first engineering competition focused on drone technologies.

In another competition — the Robocup —robots battled it out on a miniature football pitch.

The event also featured the launch of the innovtech Hackathon, a coding challenge that will include four main tracks focusing on technology in education, tourism, manufacturing and the financial sector.

Several panel discussions focused on ways in which robotics can affect society — including one titled Turning Point: Transforming Tech Ideas into Successful Projects, which explored how to market technological inventions.

The exhibition offered a range of interactive experiences, including virtual reality exhibits and practical workshops that contributed to the skill development of participants.

An interactive game invited attendees to collect stamps from different attractions to win a prize, and visitors were served Arabic coffee by robots.

The university said that the event reflects its vision of empowering students and building a generation that will lead the future of robotics and smart technologies.


KAUST researchers join Africa marine research expedition

KAUST researchers join Africa marine research expedition
Updated 23 min 29 sec ago
Follow

KAUST researchers join Africa marine research expedition

KAUST researchers join Africa marine research expedition
  • Mission began in Moroni, Comoros, with the team sailing south through the Indian Ocean to Cape Town, South Africa
  • Researchers focused on assessing biodiversity at several seamounts — underwater mountain formations

RIYADH: Researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology joined the Saudi non-profit foundation OceanQuest on its first marine expedition around Africa aboard the research vessel OceanXplorer.

The mission began in Moroni, Comoros, with the team sailing south through the Indian Ocean to Cape Town, South Africa.

Researchers focused on assessing biodiversity at several seamounts — underwater mountain formations.

A second phase, designed for early-career oceanographers, proceeded north to Walvis Bay in Namibia before concluding scientific operations in Mindelo, Cabo Verde.

The KAUST research team, comprising two PhD candidates from the Marine Microbiome Lab and one from Earth Science and Engineering, conducted research in biodiversity assessment, seamount studies and chemical analysis.

The team compared seamount formation in the Indian Ocean with similar geological phenomena in Saudi waters.


Ministry of Tourism inspects hospitality facilities ahead of Hajj

Saudi Arabia’s tourism ministry conducted an inspection of Hajj hospitality facilities. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s tourism ministry conducted an inspection of Hajj hospitality facilities. (SPA)
Updated 31 min 48 sec ago
Follow

Ministry of Tourism inspects hospitality facilities ahead of Hajj

Saudi Arabia’s tourism ministry conducted an inspection of Hajj hospitality facilities. (SPA)
  • Al-Mazyad is assessing whether preparations and procedures of multiple hospitality establishments are following the tourism law and its executive regulations

RIYADH: Deputy Minister of Licensing and Classification at the Ministry of Tourism Abdulmuhsen Al-Mazyad has been conducting field tours of hospitality facilities in Makkah to ensure readiness for receiving pilgrims during the Hajj season.

Al-Mazyad is assessing whether preparations and procedures of multiple hospitality establishments are following the tourism law and its executive regulations.

The deputy minister is especially concerned about whether these establishments have obtained the proper operational licensing from the Ministry of Tourism.

As part of its efforts to grow sustainable partnerships with the tourism sector, the ministry’s delegation has also sat with hospitality investors and operators at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce.

Enhancing the quality of service in Makkah and the rest of the Kingdom, managing hardships faced by investors and operators, and the ministry’s commitment to combating those hardships, have all been discussed during the meetings.


Thunderstorms expected across Saudi Arabia until Sunday

Thunderstorms expected across Saudi Arabia until Sunday
Updated 34 min 24 sec ago
Follow

Thunderstorms expected across Saudi Arabia until Sunday

Thunderstorms expected across Saudi Arabia until Sunday
  • Makkah province is expected to see moderate to heavy rainfall with potential flash floods, hail, and dust-stirring winds
  • Riyadh province will also experience light to moderate rainfall, flash floods, hail, and dust-stirring winds

RIYADH: Thunderstorms are expected across most of Saudi Arabia throughout the weekend until Sunday, according to the General Directorate of Civil Defense.

Makkah province is expected to see moderate to heavy rainfall with potential flash floods, hail, and dust-stirring winds, affecting areas like Taif, Maysan, Al-Muwayh, Turbah, Al-Khurmah and Ranyah.

Riyadh province will also experience light to moderate rainfall, flash floods, hail, and dust-stirring winds, affecting areas including Afif, Al-Dawadmi, Al-Quwayiyah, and Shaqra.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Jazan, Aseer, Al-Baha, and Madinah regions, with moderate rain in Hail and light to moderate rain in Najran and Qassim.

The directorate advised caution, avoiding flood-prone areas such as valleys, and refraining from swimming in them.

It also encouraged staying informed about the latest weather updates through official media channels and social media platforms.


Saudi crown prince meets Palestinian vice president

Saudi crown prince meets Palestinian vice president
Updated 08 May 2025
Follow

Saudi crown prince meets Palestinian vice president

Saudi crown prince meets Palestinian vice president
  • The meeting focused on the latest developments in Palestine

The Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, received on Thursday Vice President of Palestine, Hussein al-Sheikh, at his office in al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.

The meeting focused on the latest developments in Palestine and explored ways to strengthen joint efforts in support of the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people.

The reception was attended by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.

From the Palestinian side, attendees included Diplomatic Advisor to the Palestinian President Majdi al-Khalidi, President of the General Authority of Civil Affairs Mr. Ayman Qandil, and Head of the Vice President's Office Ms. Aya Muhaisen.