DAKAR, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people have been killed in road accidents ahead of the Grand Magal pilgrimage in Senegal's central city of Touba, the National Fire Brigade said Saturday.
Lieutenant Djily Diouf, communications officer for the brigade's contingent deployed for the pilgrimage, said the deaths had been recorded since its emergency operation began on July 28, according to the Senegalese Press Agency.
As of 8 a.m. local time Saturday, firefighters had carried out 182 emergency interventions involving 304 people, Diouf said.
Of those operations, 133 were related to road accidents involving 286 people. Firefighters assisted 274 of them, while the remaining 12 were confirmed dead.
The contingent has also distributed 281 cubic meters of water to help meet growing demand in Touba and prevent possible shortages as pilgrims arrive in the city.
The brigade has deployed 563 personnel and 91 emergency and support vehicles to provide rescue, firefighting and medical services during the pilgrimage.
Scheduled for Sunday, the Grand Magal is one of Senegal's largest religious gatherings. It is held annually by the Mouride Muslim brotherhood to commemorate the 1895 exile of its founder, Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, by the French colonial authorities. ■