In a major technological advancement for Hajj safety operations, the General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defense has announced the first-ever deployment of an AI-powered firefighting drone, named “Falcon,” during Hajj 2025.
Unveiled at the Press Conference of the Hajj Security Forces Commanders, Falcon is designed for high-efficiency firefighting and rescue missions in elevated or difficult-to-reach areas. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the drone features an extended operational flight time of up to 12 hours at high altitudes and can carry a payload of approximately 40 kilograms.
Equipped with cutting-edge multi-purpose firefighting capabilities, thermal imaging cameras, and live video transmission, Falcon allows real-time communication with the command and control center. This enables rapid response, reduced risk to human personnel, and faster decision-making during emergencies.
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Officials highlighted that the drone can be deployed in a wide range of emergency scenarios, including high-rise building fires, hazardous industrial zones, densely populated areas, and even forest fire incidents.
Major General Hamoud bin Suleiman Al-Faraj, Director General of Civil Defense, emphasized the significance of proactive safety strategies, including pre-inspection of pilgrim accommodations, routine safety patrols, and joint training drills with relevant agencies at the holy sites. These coordinated efforts aim to ensure rapid emergency response and maximize pilgrim safety.
In a broader crackdown on Hajj regulation violators, Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami, Director of Public Security, revealed that 269,678 individuals without valid Hajj permits were prevented from entering Makkah. Authorities also uncovered 252 fake Hajj campaigns, arrested 1,239 individuals for transporting others without permits, and turned back 109,632 vehicles violating Hajj rules.
The use of the Falcon drone is expected to significantly strengthen the Kingdom’s emergency response infrastructure and marks a historic step in integrating artificial intelligence into Hajj safety management.
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