Mecca building collapses; At least 23 pilgrims die

Published January 5th, 2006 - 01:47 GMT

A four-story building housing Muslim pilgrims collapsed in the holy city of Mecca on Thursday, killing at least 23 people. The United Arab Emirates said four of its citizens died.

 

According to Reuters, Saudi civil defense officials said an unknown number of people were wounded.

 

Earlier, Saudi Arabia has deployed some 60,000 agents to enforce security in the annual hajj as more than 2.5 Muslim pilgrims are inclined to gather in Mecca, the interior minister said. "The (number) of forces taking part in security in the hajj this year is around 60,000," Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz told reporters as he inspected security preparations, AFP reported.

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