KAMPALA: A Saudi tourist drowned after he slipped and fell into the River Nile while apparently attempting to take a selfie, police said Tuesday.
“The Saudi national was on a tour on Uganda. He drowned as he was taking a selfie on the River Nile and the water swept him away,” Uganda police spokeswoman Hellen Butoto told AFP.
“The body has been recovered by the police marine unit and taken for post-mortem.”
The tourist was with a group of friends visiting Kalagala Falls in central Uganda, a popular spot whose raging rapids are popular among kayakers, when the accident happened on Saturday.
“The tourist slipped because the surface is wet and he had leaned backwards to take a selfie of fast-running water in the background,” said Butoto.
She said his body was recovered some 10 kilometers (six miles) away on Tuesday.
A study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 2018 found there had been 259 selfie deaths around the world over the previous six years.
The highest toll was in India, followed by Russia, United States and Pakistan.
Saudi tourist falls, drowns in Nile while taking selfie
Saudi tourist falls, drowns in Nile while taking selfie
- The body has been recovered by the police marine unit and taken for post-mortem, says police
Saudi Arabia continues Makkah Route Initiative
- Launched in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, Initiative involves dedicated team to receive travelers
- Includes special buses to transport pilgrims comfortably on journey through Makkah and Madinah
RIYADH: The Makkah Route Initiative, implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, continues to streamline pilgrims’ journeys from international airports in their own countries, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative, set up to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims in the Kingdom, involves close cooperation between the ministry and various partner agencies.
Launched in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, it involves a dedicated team to receive the travelers and includes special buses to transport them safely and comfortably on their journey through Makkah and Madinah.
Services include biometrics, Hajj visas and electronic luggage coding.
Saudi Arabia continues Makkah Route Initiative
RIYADH: The Makkah Route Initiative, implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, continues to streamline pilgrims’ journeys from international airports in their own countries, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative, set up to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims in the Kingdom, involves close cooperation between the ministry and various partner agencies.
Launched in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, it involves a dedicated team to receive the travelers and includes special buses to transport them safely and comfortably on their journey through Makkah and Madinah.
Services include biometrics, Hajj visas and electronic luggage coding.
18 health centers in Madinah to serve Hajj pilgrims
MADINAH: Madinah’s health department has prepared 18 hospitals and medical centers for this year’s Hajj.
The facilities have over 20,000 staff members, advanced medical equipment, laboratories, blood banks, vaccines, and emergency care services, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
‘No Hajj without a permit,’ campaign launches in Makkah
- Initiative part of ‘Hajj is Worship and Civilized Behavior’ project
JEDDAH: Makkah region has launched a “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign to prevent overcrowding and other problems during the pilgrimage later this year, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
At the launch in the presence of several royals and officials, Prince Saud bin Mishaal, deputy governor of Makkah and vice chairman of the Central Hajj Committee, warned that action would be taken against those who violate the law.
The permit initiative is a part of the “Hajj is Worship and Civilized Behavior” campaign launched by Prince Khalid bin Faisal, advisor to King Salman and Makkah governor.
Prince Saud said that adhering to the law would ensure a safe Hajj for pilgrims.
There is coordination taking place with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and other government agencies to enforce the law.
Saudi foreign ministry signs pact to bolster humanitarian law
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Committee for International Humanitarian Law in the Kingdom signed a pact on Monday to enhance cooperation.
The Kingdom’s Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Waleed El-Khereiji inked the agreement with the committee’s Chairman Jalal Al-Owaisi.
The pact “aims to support joint efforts, encourage expertise exchange in humanitarian international law and spread its culture,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
