Travel companies responsible for managing Hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca, trips have been instructed by the Public Service Directorate (PSD) to comply with all prerequisites put in place to protect pilgrims on the trip to Saudi Arabia.

In a statement issued by the PSD today, and as a result of all the offenses committed by buses transporting pilgrims these past two days, travel company owners were urged to be responsible for the trips they are managing, and were informed that any buses violating any of the regulations will not be allowed to leave the country.

All pilgrimage buses and their drivers will go through a checkup by the Ministry of Awqaf based on criteria set by the Ministry and the Land Transport Regulatory Commission.

In Eid Al Fitr two months ago, two buses returning from Umrah, the minor pilgrimage, overturned, injuring at least 40 and killing six people. It’s assumed that these regulations and criteria were set to avoid a repeat of the incidents this Haj season.

The PSD closed its statement by expressing its gratitude to all travel companies that have cooperated with police officers on the field, and have complied with the set-safety criteria, wishing all pilgrims a safe and pleasant trip.

Disclaimer: This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition