Saudi relief teams ready to serve pilgrims

JEDDAH, Aug 29 (KUNA) -- Civil defense and Red Crescent teams are full ready to provide safety and emergency service for pilgrims at start of the rituals in Mina on Wednesday, a civil defense chief said on Tuesday.
Colonel Humoud Al-Faraj said in a statement broadcast by the Saudi Press Agency that safety and pre-emptive precautions' teams have already examined safety procedures at the camps.
The civil defense teams have been trained on evacuation, placing pilgrims at potential risks in safe locations, restoring normal conditions, equipment and manpower reinforcements.
He indicated that the precautionary actions involve other departments namely the fire authority to ensure that no combustible materials exist at the pilgrims' gathering locations.
Col. Al-Faraj also noted that the precautionary activities include examination of safety at the tunnels, cautioning that using liquefied gas is not allowed at the camps.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Red Crescent announced that 36 medical centers had been set up. The medical teams on the ground are backed by aerial units for speedy transportation of ill pilgrims aboard helicopters. (end) nh.rk