Pilgrim hostel collapses in Mecca
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A multi-storey building housing Muslim pilgrims in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia has collapsed.
Saudi state television said at least 15 people were end, but other reports put the figure much higher. Dozens of people were said to have been injured.
The building was named in some reports as the al-Ghaza Hotel, but other sources described it was a hostel.
More than a million Muslims are in Mecca for the Hajj, which attracts pilgrims from around the world.
'23 bodies'
Saudi interior ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki said details of the collapse were still unclear.
Rescue teams were at the scene, trying to pull bodies out of the wreckage. The hotel was said to have been used by mainly Arab pilgrims from Egypt, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.
A French eyewitness, Abderrahmane Ghoul, said he had seen 23 bodies.
"I was present. It started with a fire in the building. A helicopter started to sprinkle water to put out the fire. Afterwards, the building collapsed," he said.
The collapsed building is located some 60 metres from the city's Great Mosque, and is surrounded by markets. Reports said at least 30 people were staying in the building.
Mecca, Islam's holiest city, has been marred by tragic incidents during previous Hajj pilgrimages.
Stampedes during the event end 251 people in 2003 and 1,426 in 1990.
Published: 2006-01-05 14:00:30 GMT
© BBC MMVI
