Hajj 2016 in numbers: Saudi Officials
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MECCA, Saudi Arabia (APP) - The Muslim hajj pilgrimage which begins on Saturday in western Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest annual gatherings.
Here are some figures illustrating its scale, according to officials and local media:
More than 1.4 million foreign pilgrims from around the world are expected, alongside about 300,000 from inside Saudi Arabia.
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Pilgrims to be transported on 18,000 buses, including 1,696 which are new
60,000 employees mobilised by Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
158 sickbays along the pilgrimage routes. 25 hospitals and 5,000 hospital beds available
Several helicopters, 100 ambulances and 51 medical buses on standby
17,000 emergency services personnel deployed
1.5 million containers of Zamzam water to be distributed on Sunday when the hajj peaks
READ MORE: How many pilgrims are going to perform Hajj rituals in 2016
23,000 cleaners to keep the Mecca area tidy
Foreign pilgrims spent almost 20 billion riyals ($5.3 billion) during the hajj in 2015
At least 2,297 pilgrims died during the 2015 stampede, according to foreign officials in more than 30 countries. Saudi Arabia gave a toll of 769
