SAUDI ARABIA: At least 20 people were killed yesterday when a hostel collapsed in the holy city of Mecca as thousands of Muslims gathered for the annual hajj pilgrimage, a security official said.
Rescue workers using cranes and their bare hands sifted through the rubble. Police cordoned off the area near the holy shrine that is the focal point of the hajj, which has been marred by other disasters in the past.
A security official said at least 59 people were injured in the incident, which occurred days before the start of the five-day ritual. A government official in Mecca said most of the injured were only slightly injured.
Witnesses described how the busy market street was suddenly enveloped in dust when the building fell in the early afternoon.
"I pulled out at least 10 dead," one medic said as pilgrims helped clear away the rubble.
"I heard a loud noise then suddenly the air was full of debris. I came on to the street then pulled four people out of the mess," said Gamal Umran, an Egyptian electrician who was working nearby.
Residents said they thought about 30 people were staying in the hostel, which jostled with souvenir shops and hotels in the narrow street. They said the hostel was at least six storeys high and 30 years old.
About one million pilgrims are already in Mecca for the hajj, which starts on Sunday, and at least 2.5 million are expected.
Islam requires all able-bodied Muslims to perform the hajj at least once in a lifetime.