The temperature in Saudi Arabia reached 47 degrees. It was recommended that pilgrims coming to Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah to visit the Prophet should not leave their hotel at noon. Elderly visitors are strongly advised to use dark umbrellas.
The pigeons in the area lined up under the shadows of lighting poles at noon to protect themselves from the scorching heat.
An Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Airbus A320 flying from St. Petersburg to Baku was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to a technical fuselage failure. The aircraft, carrying 155 passengers, made an emergency landing at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg.
AZAL said the crew followed safety procedures, burning excess fuel before landing. Emergency teams at the airport were placed on alert, and the plane landed safely at around 04:43 Baku time, veering slightly off the runway. All passengers were safely evacuated without injuries.
The airline sent another aircraft to St. Petersburg to complete the passengers’ journey to Azerbaijan.
TR