NEW DELHI, Dec 31: The 12th century Qutub Minar in New Delhi, said to be the highest tower in the world, will soon be open to visitors after 23 years, Tourism Minister Jagmohan said in a report on Wednesday.

The monument was sealed in 1981 after 40 school children died in a stampede on its narrow staircase. The tragedy followed a series of suicides from the top of the tower.

The five-storey Minar has a red and buff sandstone exterior, is 72.5 metres high and has 379 steps. It is said to be higher than the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Great Pagoda, the Indian Express newspaper reported.

Jagmohan said visitors will only be allowed up to the first floor, in orderly batches of 20. He said the slippery staircase had been renovated to prevent accidents. -dpa