Mecca on alert as Saudi Arabia issues warning messages; Jeddah, Yanbu, Tabuk among areas flagged

Mecca and several other parts of Saudi Arabia have been placed on alert after the kingdom's National Early Warning Platform sent warning messages about potential danger, the Saudi Civil Defense said.

The Civil Defense urged people who receive the alerts to remain calm, follow official instructions and immediately move to the nearest safe place, such as inside a building or an interior room away from windows, and remain there until the danger has passed.

People have also been advised not to leave their homes or buildings until the danger is over, stay away from open areas, windows, glass, balconies and rooftops, and avoid crowds or dangerous areas.

Those outdoors have been instructed to enter the nearest building or take shelter behind a solid barrier. People receiving the warning while driving should pull over to the side of the road, away from bridges and high-rise buildings.

The Civil Defense also advised people not to take photographs or approach dangerous locations.

The warning comes as Mecca, Jeddah, Yanbu and Tabuk are among the areas where potential danger has been flagged.

According to the Saudi Civil Defense guidance, people who notice any danger should contact 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and 998 in other parts of the kingdom. Authorities also urged residents to follow instructions issued through official channels.

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