Saudi Civil Defence declares all-clear in Yanbu after emergency alert

Saudi Civil Defence declares all-clear in Yanbu after emergency alert

The Directorate of Saudi Civil Defence announced that the danger in Yanbu Governorate has passed, following an earlier emergency alert issued through the National Early Warning Platform.

In an official update, the authority instructed residents to continue following Civil Defence guidelines, avoid gathering in affected areas and refrain from filming. The public was reminded to call 911 in case of emergency.

Yanbu Governorate, located on the Red Sea coast approximately 350 kilometers north of Jeddah and 200 kilometers west of Madinah, is home to 359,631 residents according to the 2022 Saudi Census, representing 16.8 percent of the population of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Province.

The governorate holds significant strategic importance as one of Saudi Arabia's largest industrial cities. It houses the largest port on the Red Sea and the second largest industrial complex in the country, contributing approximately 25 percent to Saudi Arabia's industrial gross domestic product.

Earlier, the Directorate had issued a warning through the National Early Warning Platform, which uses Cell Broadcast Service technology to deliver emergency alerts with a distinctive tone to mobile phones connected to mobile networks. The platform was officially inaugurated by Saudi Arabia's Minister of Interior in 2022.

At the time of the alert, residents were advised to remain calm, follow official instructions and move immediately to the nearest safe place inside a building, away from windows, until authorities issued an all-clear.

The Civil Defence instructed people not to leave buildings until the danger had passed, avoid open areas, balconies and glass windows, and refrain from gathering or taking photographs. Motorists who received the alert while driving were told to pull over safely, away from bridges and high-rise buildings.

Industrial significance of Yanbu

Yanbu Industrial City hosts 58 major industrial complexes and 148 light and supporting industries, with total industrial investment reaching SAR 329 billion, representing 22 percent of total foreign industrial investments in Saudi Arabia.

The Yanbu Industrial Port exports around three million barrels of crude oil daily, making it the largest crude oil export port on the Red Sea coast. The area houses major refining operations including the Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company (YASREF), a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and China Petrochemical Corporation that processes 430,000 barrels per day of crude oil.

Developed in the 1970s alongside Jubail as part of Saudi Arabia's strategy to diversify industrial capacity between the Gulf and Red Sea coasts, Yanbu Industrial City is managed by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu. The city serves as a strategic gateway between Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Emergency response guidelines

Residents were urged to report emergencies by calling 911 in Mecca, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 998 in the rest of the Kingdom. The dual emergency number system reflects Saudi Arabia's regional approach to emergency services, with 998 serving as the Civil Defence number for fires, building collapses, flooding, hazardous materials and natural disasters.

Authorities emphasized the importance of following updates only through official channels. The National Early Warning Platform's alerts cannot be disabled by users for certain critical emergencies, ensuring residents receive warnings about severe weather events, natural disasters or public safety emergencies regardless of phone settings.

Civil Defence officials reminded the public to remain vigilant and prepared to respond quickly to any future alerts by moving to safe locations, staying indoors until clearance is given, and avoiding potentially dangerous areas during emergency situations.