What to do and Who to call during an emergency in Saudi Arabia

Emergency in Saudi Arabia right now? In Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Region, dial 911 for the unified emergency response centre. Elsewhere, save 997 for ambulance, 998 for Civil Defense and 999 for police. Give your exact city, district, road, building or other identifiable location. If someone is unconscious, threatened, trapped in a flood or exposed to fire, call now.

Saudi Arabia uses both unified and specialist emergency numbers. The distinction matters because the 911 system was confirmed as active across four regions in a Saudi Press Agency release on 5 November 2026; it is not sensible to claim a fully identical 911 service in every part of the Kingdom. This guide is for citizens, residents, international workers, pilgrims and visitors to Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Dammam and other locations. It covers emergency contacts, first steps, medical and fire response, flash floods, heat illness, desert or sea rescue and protection support. Official sources checked 6 November 2026.

Quick answer: which emergency number should you call?

911 — unified emergency centres in four regions: Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Eastern Region. The centres route relevant calls to police, Civil Defense and partner agencies.
997 — Saudi Red Crescent / ambulance: urgent medical assistance, serious injury, collapse, severe breathing problems or another life-threatening condition, including where unified 911 service is not available.
998 — Civil Defense: dangerous fires, smoke, fire-related rescues, floods and other Civil Defense emergencies. Saudi Civil Defense specifically advises 998 in regions outside the four unified-911 regions.
999 — Police: immediate security threats, assault, crimes in progress or urgent police assistance; a useful direct route outside the 911 coverage regions.
993 — Traffic Police: reported traffic accidents requiring traffic authority assistance; immediate serious injury also requires ambulance support.
996 — Road Security: highway-related security and urgent road incidents.
994 — Border Guards / Coastguard: incidents within their responsibility, including relevant maritime and border security assistance.
937 — Ministry of Health: 24-hour health consultations, patient support and Ministry of Health service reports. Not an alternative to an urgent ambulance dispatch.
1919 — Domestic Violence Reporting Center: protection and abuse reporting, operating around the clock; for immediate physical danger call emergency police or ambulance.

The national Saudi Government emergency-number directory lists the specialist contacts. A Saudi Press Agency release dated 5 November 2026 identifies Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Eastern regions as receiving calls through the 911 unified operations centres during October 2026. The General Directorate of Civil Defense’s March 2026 guidance says to dial 911 in those four regions or 998 in the rest of Saudi Arabia for Civil Defense emergencies.

First minute: seven actions before anything else

Keep yourself safe. Move away from smoke, fire, traffic, live electricity, deep or moving floodwater, unstable rock and violent threats if possible.
Choose the working emergency service. Use 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh or Eastern Region; elsewhere use the correct direct number for the incident, such as 997 medical, 998 Civil Defense or 999 police.
Give the location before a long explanation. Say the region, city, district (hayy), road, building or house, floor, entry gate and the nearest known landmark.
Describe the danger in one sentence. ‘A man collapsed and is not breathing normally’, ‘flames are spreading in a building’ or ‘three people are trapped in floodwater’.
Count the people and describe their condition. Mention serious injuries, unconsciousness, breathing problems, people trapped or unable to evacuate independently.
Follow the operator’s instructions. Answer questions, stay on the line as directed and perform first aid according to training or dispatch guidance.
Keep access clear. If safe, ask another person to meet crews at a building entrance, highway marker, mosque gate, hotel lobby or road junction.

An effective call sounds like: ‘Ambulance, please. One person is unconscious at [street/building], [neighbourhood], [city and region]. We are on floor [number], entrance [gate]. My number is [number].’ When a caller gives only ‘near Jeddah’ or ‘outside the airport’, responders may still have to identify a precise road or building. Provide the closest verifiable landmark and the safe approach.

Where does Saudi Arabia’s 911 system operate as of November 2026?

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior established integrated 911 security operations centres in major regions, with new service and agency coordination functions being added over time. The 5 November 2026 Saudi Press Agency report states that 911 handled calls in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Eastern regions during October 2026. It describes specialist staff operating continuously and in several languages, and the routing of emergencies to the responsible public-safety agencies.

It would be misleading to tell every traveller that a 911 centre operates identically everywhere in Saudi Arabia. For a person outside those regions, 997 ambulance, 998 Civil Defense and 999 police are important direct numbers. The Saudi Civil Defense’s official weather-safety notice explicitly distinguishes the four 911 regions from the remainder of the Kingdom. A caller in Tabuk or Asir should not have to guess what an unverified nationwide 911 claim means.

If you are unsure whether a particular governorate is served by an integrated 911 centre, use the published service-specific emergency number. If another agency is needed, explain the complete incident so the call-taker can guide coordination. See Saudi Press Agency, 5 November 2026 and Civil Defense flood safety and regional number guidance.

What happens when you call an emergency centre?

An emergency operator asks where assistance is needed, what happened and whether people are injured or currently endangered. At a unified 911 centre, agencies and partner services coordinate through a shared operating framework. The Ministry of Interior reports participation from public-security and Civil Defense units and relevant medical and municipal partners. In regions with direct contacts, the specialist service assesses the incident and dispatches or coordinates assistance.

A phone may provide approximate position, but it may not identify the correct apartment, shopping centre entrance, mosque gate or remote-road access. Give those details yourself. If the emergency is in a large complex with several buildings, ask security or a safe bystander to guide the crew from the designated access point. Do not claim that the service can automatically locate every phone without help.

Ambulance emergencies: 997 and the regional 911 option

A person collapses or is not breathing normally

Call 997 for Saudi Red Crescent ambulance assistance, or 911 in a region served by a unified centre. This applies to unconsciousness, serious difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, possible stroke, major bleeding, serious road injury, severe allergic reactions or another immediately threatening medical condition. Explain symptoms and location; do not search for a diagnosis while a person deteriorates.

If a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow emergency dispatcher directions regarding CPR and an AED, along with relevant first-aid training. If another person is present, ask them to find an available AED or guide ambulance staff. For major bleeding, appropriate direct pressure may be useful when safe. Do not give food or water to someone who cannot swallow safely.

A severe injury during a pilgrimage, at a stadium or shopping centre may require very specific access information. State the correct entrance or gate, nearby service desk, level and number of people affected. Do not move a badly injured person through a dense crowd unless leaving the current scene is necessary for immediate safety and suitable assistance is available.

A health question that is not immediately life-threatening

The Ministry of Health operates 937 for medical consultation and support, 24 hours a day. It can be useful for questions about symptoms, treatment pathways, health-service concerns and patient guidance. It is not the correct first step when a person has collapsed, cannot breathe normally or requires immediate ambulance transport. In those circumstances contact 997 or a working regional 911 centre.

The Ministry’s current official contact information and 937 services page distinguish health consultation and service support from the relevant emergency response mechanisms.

Fire in a building, workplace, hotel or compound

Call 998 Civil Defense, or regional 911 where available. Warn others, activate the fire alarm where appropriate and leave by a safe route. Avoid ordinary lifts during an active fire and do not return inside for cash, passports, devices or luggage. Close doors behind you if safe to slow the spread of smoke. If trapped, tell the operator the exact floor, room and nearest window or building entrance.

A large residential tower, shopping centre, warehouse, industrial compound or pilgrim accommodation may have several entrances and internal corridors. Tell responders which road or gate has fire-appliance access, and whether gas cylinders, hazardous chemicals or electrical equipment are known to be present. Do not re-enter smoke to verify a chemical label or locate someone; report their last known location.

If an incident is a suspected gas leak rather than an established fire, move away from the hazard without generating sparks, avoid using switches nearby and seek Civil Defense advice from a safer position. The correct response to a chemical or gas release can involve sheltering or evacuation depending on the actual circumstances. Follow the fire service, not a generic rule copied from an unrelated accident.

Police and personal safety: 999 or regional 911

For a violent attack, serious threat, crime in progress or an immediate public-security danger, contact 999 or 911 where the integrated system operates. Move to safety first if possible. Give the precise place, what you personally observed, any injuries and whether weapons are involved. Do not pursue an offender or move closer to someone threatening others just to collect photos.

A routine enquiry, lost-property concern or non-urgent government service request is not the same as police emergency dispatch. Use the official police or government service channel for the relevant non-emergency matter once everyone is safe. If someone has been injured and needs an ambulance, inform police and contact the medical service as directed.

Traffic accidents: 993, 996 and medical emergencies

The Saudi Government directory lists 993 for traffic accidents and 996 for Road Security. Those routes matter on urban roads and highways, but a crash with serious injuries also requires an immediate ambulance response through 997 or a regional 911 centre. Tell the operator the highway, travel direction, nearest exit, interchange, kilometre marker and any road or vehicle fire hazard.

If a crash is minor and everyone is safe, the government’s directory also lists 920000560 for Najm, relevant to certain insured vehicle-accident reporting processes. Do not call an insurer or claims handler first when a person is unconscious, a vehicle is burning or traffic presents immediate danger. Protect people, obtain emergency assistance and follow the applicable road authority’s instructions.

Do not stand in moving lanes to take photographs. Move to a safe location if possible and avoid leaking fuel and damaged vehicles. A seriously injured occupant should not be moved unnecessarily unless the surrounding danger makes staying in place unsafe. Follow medical and road-security instructions.

Flash floods: Saudi Civil Defense says do not cross wadis

Flash floods can develop rapidly in wadis — normally dry valleys or watercourses — even if the rain is falling at some distance. Saudi Civil Defense’s 2026 safety campaign stresses avoiding low-lying areas, water accumulations and valleys during heavy rain and not crossing wadis when floodwater is moving. A vehicle may be swept away by a powerful current, and the road surface may have been damaged beneath the water.

When intense rainfall or flood warnings affect an area, avoid camping, parking or driving in a wadi. Do not enter flooded underpasses or bridges when the depth and current are unknown. If officials order evacuation, leave using approved routes before access is cut off. A person trapped on a roof or in a vehicle should contact the emergency service and give the safest known access point and number of people.

Civil Defense advises 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Eastern regions, and 998 in the remaining regions for relevant emergencies. This location-specific guidance is directly applicable to flood rescue. Official source: Saudi Civil Defense heavy-rain safety announcement, March 2026 and rain and flood hazard guidance.

Understanding the National Center for Meteorology’s warnings

Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM) issues weather alerts by region, governorate, hazard and time. It uses a colour-coded system: yellow for possible weather impact, orange when a phenomenon affects an area and caution is needed, and red for severe weather or floods requiring full caution and compliance with Civil Defense instructions.

The same region can contain different local hazards. A dust warning in Riyadh does not imply that a wadi in Asir is safe after intense rainfall. Check the actual governorate and active dates and obey authority instructions about road closures or evacuation. The official current information system is NCM Automated Early Warning System.

Heat illness and heatstroke

Hot conditions can be hazardous for outdoor workers, residents without adequate cooling and people walking long distances. During Hajj, Umrah or other crowded activities, exertion, dehydration and limited rest can increase the risk of heat illness. A person with confusion, collapse, seizure, severe weakness or altered consciousness may have a medical emergency requiring prompt ambulance assistance.

Move the person to a shaded or cooler safe place, loosen restrictive clothing and begin appropriate cooling while following medical guidance. Do not force drinks into someone who cannot swallow safely. For severe symptoms, contact 997 or regional 911 rather than delaying to seek a routine health consultation.

Prevention includes checking official heat and weather notices, taking safe breaks, drinking sufficient fluids where appropriate, and monitoring elderly people and others with medical conditions. The best action during a severe incident is to report exactly where the person is and what symptoms they have, not simply to say the weather is hot.

During Hajj and Umrah: report a location that responders can use

Makkah and Madinah are served by unified 911 emergency centres as of November 2026. Large congregations and religious sites can have multiple gates, levels, pedestrian routes and transport arrangements. For a person who collapses, is injured or becomes separated in a dangerous crowd, identify the mosque or religious site, numbered gate, floor, nearby signed landmark or staff station and exact problem.

Follow on-site security, medical and crowd-management instructions. Do not attempt to push against a moving crowd, climb barriers or take a shortcut through a restricted service corridor. A person may need an urgent ambulance even when the surrounding gathering is not itself an emergency. Ask a safe nearby staff member to guide responders while keeping the distressed person attended.

The Ministry of Interior’s integrated 911 model coordinates relevant emergency agencies in Makkah and Madinah, but there is no guarantee that every caller speaks the same language. Multilingual staff have been reported; use short clear statements and show the accurate written location where possible. See SPA’s 5 November report on the regional 911 system.

Desert, mountain and remote-area rescue

Remote roads, desert tracks and mountainous districts can complicate rescue. Before leaving a developed road, share the route and expected return time with a trusted person, carry water, weather protection, an appropriate communication plan and a charged phone. When someone is injured, report the nearest paved road, junction, road marker, camp, valley name or reliable coordinates. Do not claim a GPS location you have not checked.

If stranded in high heat or severe weather, avoid unnecessarily leaving a known location to search for signal or rescue routes. Preserve water and phone battery, get into safe shade where appropriate, and follow the emergency operator’s advice. If a vehicle is stuck in deep sand or floodwater, evaluate whether staying with it is safer than walking into unknown terrain.

Search-and-rescue coordination may involve Civil Defense, police, road security or other agencies. Call the working number for the present threat and explain its location and circumstances. The government’s emergency directory also lists specialist and border services, but a life-threatening injury still needs an ambulance request.

Sea or coastal emergencies: Border Guards and Coastguard

Saudi Arabia’s official emergency contacts list 994 for the Border Guards and Coastguard. During a serious maritime emergency, state the coast, port, marina, vessel or nearest known position, the number of people affected and whether anyone is in the water or injured. Provide verified coordinates if available. Where medical help onshore is also urgently needed, 997 or a regional 911 operator may be relevant.

Do not attempt an untrained rescue in rough water, around boat engines or from a dangerous breakwater. A person who can safely give responders the exact harbour, pier or vessel information may be more helpful than another person entering the water. Follow the current instructions of the responsible maritime authority.

Family violence, abuse and child safeguarding

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development provides 1919 for reporting domestic violence and seeking protection assistance, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can help victims and concerned residents seek appropriate protection or referral. If a person is being assaulted right now, is in immediate physical danger or has a serious injury, use police or ambulance emergency response first.

The government service is explained at National Platform — reporting domestic violence. The Communications, Space and Technology Commission also lists 116111 for the Family Safety Program’s child helpline in its official numbering plan. Those support lines have different roles from emergency field dispatch.

Electrical emergencies and water service failures

The national emergency directory lists 933 for electricity emergencies. A downed power cable, exposed live equipment or dangerous fault should never be touched or moved. Contact the relevant electricity provider or official utility service from a safe place, and call Civil Defense or ambulance emergency services if there is fire, electrocution, serious injury or imminent danger.

A routine outage, low water pressure or billing concern normally belongs with the service provider rather than an ambulance emergency line. The important distinction is whether people need immediate rescue or medical response. Do not operate a fuel-burning generator or charcoal grill inside a home or enclosed garage, and keep children away from electrical hazards during floods.

Useful Arabic phrases when calling for help

النجدة (al-najda) — Help!
أحتاج إلى إسعاف (ahtāj ilā is‘āf) — I need an ambulance.
هناك حريق (hunāka harīq) — There is a fire.
أحتاج إلى الشرطة (ahtāj ilā ash-shurṭa) — I need the police.
شخص فاقد الوعي (shakhs fāqid al-wa‘y) — A person is unconscious.
الموقع هو… (al-mawqi‘ huwa…) — The location is…
هل تتحدث الإنجليزية؟ (hal tatahaddath al-inglīziyya?) — Do you speak English?
نحتاج إلى مساعدة عاجلة (nahtāj ilā musā‘ada ‘ājila) — We need urgent help.

These transliterations are approximate and should not delay calling. Some 911 call centres have multilingual staff, but language coverage can vary by centre and service. Use the language you can communicate clearly, give a written Arabic address or named location if available, and ask a safe bystander to help with a road or building name.

How to describe your location precisely

Region and city: say Riyadh Region, Makkah Region, Eastern Region, Madinah or another region, followed by the city or governorate.
Neighbourhood: include district (hayy), road name and a visible nearby landmark.
Building: tower, hotel, mall, residential complex, floor, room, unit and entrance number.
Religious site: mosque or site name, gate number, floor, route marker or nearby official staff point.
Highway: road number, travel direction, junction, nearest exit or kilometre marker.
Coast or remote site: beach, port, marina, wadi, mountain track or reliable map coordinates.
Callback: working phone number and any danger preventing access or a safe exit.

A family, worker or traveller emergency checklist

Save 911 for the four active regions and direct contacts 997 ambulance, 998 Civil Defense, 999 police for wider coverage.
Write the local address in Arabic and English, including neighbourhood, building, gate, level and the nearest clear approach.
Identify building fire exits, alarms and a safe outdoor meeting point.
Before rain or desert travel, check NCM weather warnings and avoid flood-prone wadis.
Keep a charged power bank, torch, drinking water, medication and essential personal or identity documents accessible.
Plan for children, older adults and people with mobility, hearing or medical-equipment needs.
For Hajj or Umrah, agree a safe family meeting point and keep numbered gate and accommodation details available.
Learn which official local authority provides evacuation and incident updates, and avoid sharing unverified warnings.

Mistakes to avoid

Assuming that the four-region integrated 911 service is already identical throughout Saudi Arabia.
Calling 937 routine medical consultation instead of 997 or regional 911 for a person who has collapsed.
Calling insurance or routine vehicle services before seeking urgent ambulance help after a serious crash.
Driving a vehicle into a flowing wadi or stopping in a low valley during a flash-flood warning.
Giving only a city or mosque name without a gate, floor, hotel or usable emergency-vehicle entrance.
Entering a burning building or dense smoke to retrieve property.
Using a protection or welfare line in place of urgent police response during an ongoing assault.
Following a navigation shortcut around a road closure during heavy rain or a sandstorm.

Frequently asked questions

Does 911 work everywhere in Saudi Arabia in November 2026?

The Saudi Press Agency’s 5 November 2026 report identifies active unified 911 operations across Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Eastern regions. The Civil Defense advises 998 in the remaining regions for its emergencies. Save service-specific 997, 998 and 999 numbers when outside integrated coverage.

What is Saudi Arabia’s ambulance number?

997 is the Saudi Red Crescent ambulance number, confirmed by the national emergency directory and numbering regulator. Regional 911 centres can also coordinate emergency medical response through their partner agencies.

What is the number for fire and Civil Defense?

998 is the dedicated Civil Defense number. In the four listed unified-911 regions, 911 is an alternative route to coordinated emergency response.

What is 937 for?

The Ministry of Health operates 937 continuously for medical consultations and patient or service concerns. It is not the best first contact for a life-threatening event needing an ambulance.

Who do I call during a dangerous flood?

Contact 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh or Eastern regions, or Civil Defense on 998 elsewhere. Move to safety, do not cross wadis or moving water, and follow local authorities.

What number reports domestic violence?

1919 is the government’s domestic violence reporting and support service. During immediate danger needing police or ambulance, use emergency response first.

Official Saudi sources and related guides

Safety and editorial notice: This is general safety information, not live emergency dispatch or personalised medical care. The regional 911 coverage is a current, date-specific fact based on Saudi official reporting on 5 November 2026 and may expand. Local weather and emergency instructions can change. For immediate danger, use the appropriate official number now.