Building collapses in Mecca at eve of Hajj pillgrimage

January 5, 2006

A hostel collapsed in Mecca, the holy city of Islam at about 10 o'clock this morning local time. The building housed a number of pilgrims who came to visit the holy city at the eve of hajj pilgrimage. The hostel's guests were mostly citizens of the United Arab Emirates. The death toll is at least 15, a figure which is expected to rise. The building was situated very close to the holy mosque Masjid al Haram.