Buses to Makkah with fewer than 25 pilgrims banned

Abu Dhabi: Vehicles with fewer than 25 Haj pilgrims will be prohibited from entering Makkah, in a new measure adopted by Saudi Arabia.

The decision is aimed at increasing road safety and reducing congestion during this year's pilgrimage, officials said.

The UAE Interior Ministry said it had been informed of the new rule by its Saudi counterpart.

The ministry has advised motorists travelling by road for the pilgrimage to follow the regulation in order to avoid inconvenience.

Motorists will be allowed to cross the UAE-Saudi border if there are fewer than 25 pilgrims per vehicle, but Makkah cannot be entered unless there are at least 25.

Owing to frequent road accidents and breakdown of vehicles, Saudi authorities have come up with a number of terms and conditions that must be met in order to transport pilgrims in buses.

The measures are in place for the safety of pilgrims and hence are not subject to legal accountability, according to a statement issued by the ministry.

The buses should be equipped with all safety measures and should take into account the comfort of the passengers.

They should be fit for long journeys. Passengers must be able to open and close the windows easily.

There should be ample space for passengers to move within the bus and to store baggage.

Essential safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits should be available in adequate quantities depending on the size of the bus. Technical inspection certificate issued by the authority concerned should be present.

Meanwhile, the UAE's official Haj mission left for Saudi Arabia on Monday to make necessary arrangements ahead of the pilgrimage.

Hamad Yousuf Mualla, Deputy Chairman of the mission, led the delegation, which aims to prepare the premises of the mission in Makkah, Madinah, Mina and Arafat.

The mission includes a medical team to equip clinics and pharmacies, in addition to other teams for inspection, preaching, media and security.