Medics rush to the site where pilgrims were crushed and trampled to death during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia, in this Sept. 24, 2015 photo.

Deputy Minister of Health Hamad bin Mohammad Al-Dweile confirmed that health, civil and military sectors cooperated with the Ministry of Health to treat victims of the stampede in Mina.

He said the ministry announced a “code red” in hospitals at the Holy Sites and Makkah. The ministry called night shifts and dispatched teams with more than 500 doctors and nurses, in addition to paramedics who went to the location of the incident to evacuate the injured and treat them.

Mini-ambulances proved their efficiency in dealing with the crisis and reached the location in record time despite the congestion.

He said the ministry, through its continuous monitoring of vacant beds through the control and leadership room at Mina Hospital, was successfully able to manage the crisis and moved the injured from hospitals in Arafat to larger facilities.

He added the ministry evacuated and transferred cases to Makkah, Jeddah and Taif. No cases were sent to Ajyad Hospital, which stood by to provide beds for any emerging cases.

He stressed that first aid tasks were carried out by doctors who were performing Haj as pilgrims. The Sudanese community vacated its pilgrims and transformed their area to a first aid center.

The Saudi Ministry of Health commiserated with families of the dead and injured that resulted from the stampede, confirming that there were over 700 deaths and more than 860 injuries.

Minister of Health Khalid Al-Falih commiserated with families of the victims, saying a plan had been devised to respond to emergency situations. The ministry coordinated with relevant bodies to offer the best care for the injured.

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