"The special plans for emergency operations have been designed well in advance. Eleven workshops and several training operations have been conducted since the beginning of the year," Al-Mahmadi said to Arab News in Makkah yesterday.

He said four huge escalators and ordinary stairs would bring pilgrims by the thousands to the top floor of the bridge for the ritual stoning and take them down after it.

"One of the two approach roads to the escalators begins behind the Burj Road and the other at the Majar Al-Kabsh. Each road, 15 meters wide, merges before reaching the escalator tower to form a 27-meter wide road. Each escalator has the capacity to hold 12,000 pilgrims per hour. Ordinary stairs are available for those who do not want to use escalators or in times of emergency," Al-Mahmadi added.

The third floor, which can be used by very old and very young pilgrims alike, is convenient for those coming from the direction of Makkah, Sidqui Street and Al-Haj Street, he said. "The second floor will offer a free car service for weak and aged pilgrims this year. The 14-seated cars will be under the supervision of the Emergency Force," Al-Mahmadi said.

Regarding crowd management at the stone-throwing locations on each floor, the officer said, "We have become experts in crowd management after handling enormous gatherings on the Jamrat over the years. We are now capable of predicting impending dangers due to crowding. On the days of stoning, we will be battle-ready to face any eventuality. On the day after the standing in Arafat, pilgrims will be rushing to a single point, the Jamrat Al-Kubra, and this will create huge crowds."

He said mock drills on the bridge are scheduled for the next few days. The reactions to 16 different emergency situations will be practiced. The emergency forces will also practice how to feed pilgrims onto all levels of the bridge in approximately equal numbers, he said.

The baggage carried by some pilgrims while performing the ritual poses serious threats to other pilgrims. The baggage may cause some people to stumble and fall. Regarding measures to stop this, the officer said, "The pedestrian management force will see that no pilgrim carries baggage onto the bridge because the baggage sometimes causes pilgrims to stumble and fall so that other pilgrims step on them and this leads to stampedes and major problems," he said.

The commander said no pilgrim would be allowed to convert the spaces between the bridge and the tents into his resting place. The observation towers on the bridge will stop all such attempts and also keep the area free of squatters.

The number of cameras installed on and near the bridge will give a clear picture of the flow of the pilgrims onto the bridges. "The officers in the control room can determine the precise number of pilgrims entering and exiting from each floor. If the number of those who enter the bridge exceeds those who go out, the security force can stop the further entry temporarily and take steps to reduce the crowds, thus avoiding dangerous situations," the commander said.

By Badea Abu Al-Naja

© Arab News 2008

 

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