Riyadh boy’s death sparks alert on dangerous fireworks

July 30, 2014

Riyadh boys death

Jeddah, Jul 30: The festive fireworks that mark the beginning of Eid ended in tragedy for a Riyadh family when a 14-year-old boy died on Monday evening trying to burst a firecracker.

The latest incident comes among several other firework-related casualties during the Eid holidays.

Firecrackers are still widely available on the streets of Jeddah, Makkah, Taif, Riyadh and other cities despite strict measures to combat the phenomenon, including a financial reward of SR5,000 for anyone who reports fireworks warehouses.

Fireworks are reportedly being distributed to other parts of the Kingdom from Jeddah, believed to be the main hub.

The “Alqaat,” “Nafur,” “Thob” and “Zingabel” are popular types of firecrackers purchased by the Kingdom’s children, according to vendors approached by Arab News.

Firework packs cost SR5 last year but have since been sold at SR15.

“Parents should not allow their children to purchase fireworks, which can impair eyesight and even cause finger amputation,” said Col. Abdullah Al-Harithy, Civil Defense spokesman. “We urge parents to buy only low-density firecrackers if they must.”

Other firecrackers simply burst in the heat.

“Children used to play with amateur firecrackers in the past, but have since taken a liking to sophisticated and explosive fireworks thanks to rogue traders running loose in the market,” he said.

Dangerous fireworks manufactured in China are being smuggled into the Kingdom through the southern borders.

“We seized nearly 10,000 kg of fireworks being smuggled into the Kingdom during the first two weeks of Ramadan,” said Brig. Abdullah bin Mahfouz, Saudi Border Guards director for the Jazan region.

Ironically, fireworks are often sold by women and children during the Eid holidays, both in Jeddah and in other parts of the Kingdom.

Jeddah police have arrested several expats in the downtown area, a hub for firework sales.

Police also seized a huge quantity of fireworks and arrested vendors in Taif during Ramadan, according to Lt. Aati Al-Qurashi, Makkah regional police spokesman.

Police and municipal authorities have attempted to combat the sale of fireworks in the Hammam and Azizia areas of Riyadh, meanwhile, but these markets continue to be a major source of firework supplies sold in the capital, according to sources.

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coastaldigest.com web desk
May 21,2020

The Tawakkalna application developed by Saudi Arabia's National Information Centre to processes requests for movement permits during the curfew to curb the spread of the virus has become a major helplnine for past few weeks. 

The application developed through the close cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) was launched on May 4.

According to Saudi Telecom Group, it handles 20,000 calls daily through the Tawakkalna platform by dedicating a call centre of 600 employees through its Contact Centre Company (CCC). 

The Tawakkalna app can be used to issue e-permits for a selected group of government and private sector employees who were exempted from the curfew, and individuals who have medical appointments as well as couriers.

Tawakkalna has features for the service of citizens and residents, for ensuring their safety and comfort that would contribute to facilitating the access of authorized persons to travel permits.

The official page about Tawakkalna on Twitter, says: “You must always keep in mind that pinpointing your exact location of residence is the only way for you to benefit from the app’s range of services and permits.”

The app will also provide the latest alerts and medical news issued by the Ministry of Health about the virus as well as about its spread, ways to prevent it and movement permits.

Tawakkalna can be used for self-disclosure for people who show signs of coronavirus infection and for requesting ambulance service and other important services for the community.

Through the app users can apply for a one-hour permit for a walk in the neighborhood on a daily basis, thereby encouraging walking during this period of lockdown.

Comments

muhammad Sheheryar
 - 
Sunday, 14 Jun 2020

sir,

 

 
i am facing problem for receiving OTP code during registration for my family. i am unable to get OTP code.

please assist. 

Abdulrazaq Yousef
 - 
Thursday, 4 Jun 2020

Entering date of birth is the big problem is the big problem of this app. 

 

Malik asif
 - 
Tuesday, 26 May 2020

Dob entering problem 

Thomas Philipose
 - 
Monday, 25 May 2020

Hi,

I am trying to register in the Tawakkalna app, but it keeps on throwing error. Any idea?

 

thanx

 

 

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News Network
May 31,2020

Dubai, May 31: As many as 84 beggars have been arrested in Dubai during the Eid Al Fitr holiday, the Dubai Police have said.

The arrests were carried out as part of their anti-begging campaign to prevent begging during the holy month of Ramadan.

Some illegal vendors, too, have been arrested in different areas of the emirate, the police added.

Colonel Ali Salem, Director of the Infiltrators Department at the Criminal Investigations Department of Dubai Police, said that the campaign aims to maintain the safety and security of the society, adding that the campaign was successful and helped reduce the number of beggars across the emirate.

He called on the public to report begging activities to the number 901 or the Dubai Police app.

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News Network
April 15,2020

Dubai, Apr 15: Saudi Arabia reported 493 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 5869, the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday.

According to the ministry of health, the number of recoveries today are 42 cases, making total of recoveries in the kingdom 931. And 71 critical cases in intensive care.

The ministry also confirmed 6 deaths bringing the total number of deaths in the kingdom to 79.

Saudi Arabia imposed a 24-hour curfew and lockdown on the cities of Riyadh, Tabuk, Dammam, Dhahran and Hofuf and throughout the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif and Khobar. This week the curfew was extended until further notice.

Overall, Saudi Arabia has reported one of the lowest rates of infection in the region, with around 5,000 cases in a population of over 30 million. Mecca was one of the first Saudi cities to be placed under a full-day curfew, and authorities took unprecedented precautions, suspending religious tourism in February and closing mosques across the country in March.

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