98,000 denied Makkah entry for Haj

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has barred 98,000 people from entering Makkah because they did not have Haj permits, media reported Tuesday.

The authorities also did not allow 25,216 vehicles to enter into the holy site because they were not licensed to carry pilgrims, Arab News reported.

Police seized 85 vehicles for violating other Haj-related regulations.

Makkah Governor Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah inspected checkpoints and checked the operations at other major entry points to the city.

Last year, 4,000 people who tried to enter Makkah without Haj permits were denied entry.

They were deported and banned for 10 years.

Their Saudi drivers were imprisoned and had their cars confiscated.