Hajj 2025 safety update: Gas cylinders ban at Mecca’s holy sites takes effect

All-out prohibition boosts preventive, safety measures during pilgrimage congregation

Last updated: May 29, 2025 | 05:53

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Volunteers welcome and assist pilgrims for the Hajj. Around 1.1 million pilgrims from abroad arrived in Saudi Arabia until Monday to perform the Hajj in and around the holy city of Mecca.

SPA file

Cairo: Saudi civil defence authorities have imposed a ban on gas cylinders starting May 28 in the holy places where hundreds of thousands of Muslims will undertake next week the rites of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The kingdom's General Directorate of Civil Defence has banned the entry and use of liquefied gas cylinders of all types and sizes into Hajj camps and sites of government and private agencies in the holy places.

Also Read: Hajj: All you need to know about the annual Islamic pilgrimage

The directorate said the ban is part of preventive measures against potential causes of accidents in the sacred places.

Civil defence preventive and safety supervision teams will conduct inspection tours to ascertain compliance with the ban.

Also Read: Rare 1938 Hajj footage captures pilgrims' strenuous journey to Mecca

They will confiscate gas-powered sources or cylinders found there, and take the prescribed legal procedures against violators.

Around 1.1 million pilgrims from abroad arrived in Saudi Arabia until Monday to perform the Hajj in and around the holy city of Mecca, according to official figures, amid maximized preparations from different relevant agencies in the kingdom for the huge annual congregation.