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King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2023 Enters Guinness Records as Largest Falconry Competition Globally

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2023 has set a new world record by entering the Guinness World Records for the third time in its history. SPA
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2023 has set a new world record by entering the Guinness World Records for the third time in its history. SPA
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King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2023 Enters Guinness Records as Largest Falconry Competition Globally

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2023 has set a new world record by entering the Guinness World Records for the third time in its history. SPA
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2023 has set a new world record by entering the Guinness World Records for the third time in its history. SPA

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2023 has set a new world record by entering the Guinness World Records for the third time in its history.

It is now recognized as the largest falconry competition in the world, with 2,654 falcons participating.

The festival was held between November 28 and December 14 and was organized by the Saudi Falcons Club at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh.

This accomplishment stands as a testament to the steadfast backing of the Saudi leadership in safeguarding the Kingdom's cultural and civilizational heritage. In its inaugural year, the festival secured a Guinness World Record with 1,723 falcons, and in the following year in 2019, it repeated this feat by involving 2,350 falcons.

The festival drew participation from an esteemed gathering of falconers hailing from the Kingdom, Gulf countries, and across the globe. Competing for the festival's awards over a span of 17 days, they vied in Al-Mazayen and Al-Milwah competitions, with prizes exceeding SAR 33.6 million.

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the ancient falconry heritage in the Kingdom, the Saudi Falcons Club is partnering with the Royal Commission for AlUla to organize the first edition of the AlUla Falconry Cup 2023.

The competition will be held in AlUla from December 28 to January 5, with prizes worth up to SAR60 million in the Al-Milwah and Al-Mazayen competitions. These represent the largest financial prizes ever in the history of falconry competitions in the world.

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Passenger Forced to Run Along London Platform with Hand Trapped in Doors of Moving Train

A train on the Elizabeth line, which opened in May 2022. Photograph: Philip Toscano/PA
A train on the Elizabeth line, which opened in May 2022. Photograph: Philip Toscano/PA
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Passenger Forced to Run Along London Platform with Hand Trapped in Doors of Moving Train

A train on the Elizabeth line, which opened in May 2022. Photograph: Philip Toscano/PA
A train on the Elizabeth line, which opened in May 2022. Photograph: Philip Toscano/PA

An investigation has been launched after a rail passenger was forced to run several metres along the platform with his hand trapped inside the doors of a moving train in west London.

The passenger, who was trying to board an Elizabeth line service just after midnight, had his hand caught in the door as it began to depart, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said on 24 December, The Guardian reported.

He was then forced to run alongside the moving train for several metres until a member of railway staff who was working on the platform at Ealing Broadway station pulled him away.

Nearby passengers alerted the driver and the train stopped after moving about 17 metres. The passenger is reported to have sustained minor injuries, the RAIB confirmed.

The “trap and drag” incident, which took place on 24 November at about 12.07am, is the latest case of a rail passenger having to run alongside trains with their hand or arm trapped in doors at stations. Previous incidents took place at Enfield Town, north London, in July; Seven Sisters, north London, in June 2022; Bushey, Hertfordshire, in March 2018; and Newcastle Central in 2013.

The RAIB investigation will consider factors such as if anything influenced the actions of those involved, and how risks associated with passengers boarding and alighting Elizabeth line trains are managed. It will publish its findings, including any recommendations to improve safety.

Elizabeth line services are operated by MTR Elizabeth line under a concession from Transport for London.

A TfL spokesperson said: “We’re sorry that our customer experienced this distressing incident. Safety is our top priority and our operator, MTR Elizabeth line, is currently carrying out a thorough investigation.

“We will always strive to learn from incidents and improve operational safety. MTR Elizabeth line is fully co-operating with the RAIB to establish the root cause of this incident to determine what steps they can take to avoid any further events of this nature and to share learnings with the industry.

“While serious injuries on our network are rare, we are undertaking a huge range of work aimed at eradicating such incidents and making travelling even safer for everyone.”