Three children were caught in powerful floodwaters triggered by intense rain and torrents rushing down mountainous areas, according to Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence authorities. Emergency rescue teams managed to save one child, while another was found dead. Search operations are continuing for the third child, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Saudi Civil Defence confirmed the incident in an official statement published on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
According to the authorities, emergency responders were mobilised immediately after receiving reports that three children had been swept away by rapidly flowing floodwaters. Rescue personnel launched an operation to locate the victims, successfully bringing one child to safety before recovering the body of another.
Efforts to locate the missing child remain under way, although officials have not disclosed further details about the progress of the search or the child’s possible location.
The precise circumstances surrounding the tragedy have yet to be established publicly. Authorities did not immediately clarify where the children were when the flooding occurred or how they became trapped in the dangerous currents.
Following the incident, Saudi Civil Defence issued a safety warning, urging residents, expatriates and visitors to exercise extreme caution during periods of severe weather.
The agency specifically advised people to stay away from areas vulnerable to sudden flooding, including natural waterways, valleys known locally as wadis, drainage channels and low-lying locations where rainwater can accumulate rapidly.
Officials warned that heavy rainfall can transform normally dry valleys and mountain channels into dangerous torrents within a short period. Such conditions pose serious risks to anyone attempting to cross flooded areas or remaining close to rapidly flowing water.
Makkah’s mountainous surroundings and natural drainage routes can make certain locations particularly vulnerable to flash flooding during intense rainfall. Water descending from higher ground may gather speed as it moves through valleys and narrow channels, creating hazardous conditions even in places experiencing relatively little rainfall.
Flash floods are especially dangerous because water levels and currents can change with little warning. Fast-moving water may be considerably stronger than it appears, making it difficult for pedestrians to maintain their balance or escape once caught in the current.
Children face particular risks in these circumstances because of their smaller size and limited ability to withstand powerful water flows.
Safety guidance during flash floods generally advises people to avoid crossing submerged roads, entering drainage channels or approaching waterways where currents are visibly increasing. Even apparently shallow water can become dangerous when flowing at high speed.
Saudi Civil Defence has emphasised the importance of observing official weather warnings and avoiding flood-prone locations during periods of unstable weather.
The authorities have also urged the public to follow emergency instructions and remain in safe areas until conditions improve.
The incident has renewed attention to the dangers posed by sudden mountain torrents and the need for preventive measures during heavy rainfall, particularly in areas where natural watercourses can fill unexpectedly.
Residents and visitors are advised to remain alert to changing weather conditions, keep children away from potentially hazardous waterways and comply with directions issued by emergency services.
Meanwhile, rescue personnel continue their efforts to locate the missing child. No additional information concerning the child’s condition or possible whereabouts was immediately available in the statement.
Saudi Civil Defence reiterated that public cooperation with safety instructions is essential to reducing the risk of further casualties during severe weather.
The tragedy highlights how quickly heavy rainfall can turn natural waterways into life-threatening hazards, particularly in mountainous regions where floodwaters can develop suddenly and move with considerable force.
