DAKAR, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from road accidents recorded since Senegal's National Fire Brigade launched its emergency operation for the Grand Magal pilgrimage on July 28 rose to 21 on Sunday, up from 12 on Saturday.
The brigade said in a statement that it had carried out 309 emergency responses since the operation began, assisting 503 people. Road accidents accounted for 221 of the responses, in which firefighters assisted 451 people, while 21 others were killed.
The brigade has deployed 563 firefighters and 91 emergency and support vehicles to provide rescue, firefighting and medical services during the pilgrimage.
The Grand Magal, one of Senegal's largest religious gatherings, was held Sunday in the central city of Touba. More than six million pilgrims and visitors were expected to attend this year's event, according to the organizers. ■