Civil Defense has called on citizens and residents across Saudi Arabia to keep following official safety instructions during emergencies, avoid gathering or filming at incident sites, and rely only on approved emergency numbers to report urgent situations.
Authorities reminded the public that the emergency number is 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, while 998 is used in the rest of the Kingdom. Callers are urged to keep these lines free for genuine emergencies.
What to Do During an Alert
The guidance advises people to remain calm and move to the nearest safe place inside a building or an interior room away from windows, then stay indoors until the danger has passed. The public is told to avoid open areas, glass, balconies, and rooftops. Anyone outdoors should take shelter behind a solid barrier.
If an alert is received while driving, motorists should pull over safely, keeping away from bridges and high-rise buildings. Civil Defense also stressed the importance of avoiding crowds, refraining from taking photos or videos, and staying clear of hazardous areas so emergency teams can work without obstruction.
Residents are advised to follow updates only through official channels, and to avoid sharing unverified information that could cause confusion during an incident. These simple steps help protect lives, keep evacuation routes clear, and allow responders to reach those in need quickly. Saudi Living encourages readers to save the correct emergency number for their region and share these instructions with family and colleagues.
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