Saudi Arabia prevent over 269,000 unauthorised pilgrims from entering Mecca

Saudi Arabia prevent over 269,000 unauthorized pilgrims from entering Mecca

Saudi authorities have barred more than 269,000 individuals without valid permits from entering Mecca ahead of this year’s Hajj, as part of heightened efforts to manage crowds and ensure pilgrim safety, officials announced on Sunday.

The Interior Ministry confirmed that the enforcement targets both Saudi residents and foreign nationals attempting to perform the pilgrimage without authorization. Violators face penalties including fines of up to $5,000, with foreign nationals also at risk of deportation.

In addition to those turned away, more than 23,000 residents have been penalized for breaching Hajj regulations, and licenses for 400 service providers have been revoked for non-compliance.

“The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands,” said Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Omari at a press briefing in Mecca, underscoring the strict monitoring measures in place.

Under current regulations, only individuals with official Hajj permits are allowed to enter Mecca for the pilgrimage a rule that applies even to year-round residents of the city.

Officials say the crackdown is aimed at preventing the kinds of safety risks seen in previous years, including last year’s fatalities linked to extreme heat and unregistered pilgrims.

So far, around 1.4 million registered pilgrims have arrived in Mecca, with more expected in the coming days.

To further support crowd control and emergency response, Saudi Civil Defence has deployed drones for the first time during Hajj.

The drones will be used for surveillance, monitoring, and firefighting operations.

The annual pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, is taking place amid high summer temperatures, raising fresh concerns about the health and safety of participants.