MAKKAH, Jan 6: The death toll from the collapse of a hostel in Makkah rose to 76 on Friday, the interior ministry said, adding that recovery operations had now been completed.
A further 62 people were wounded, ministry spokesman General Mansur al-Turki said, adding that he expected the toll to be final.
“We finished all operations today at 6pm (1500 GMT) and we have removed all the rubble,” he said.
Earthmovers and heavy lifting equipment had worked through the night as rescuers hunted for survivors.
The spokesman gave no breakdown of the nationalities of the dead. But survivors said most pilgrims staying in the hostel came from India, Libya, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
“Through our inspection of the site... there was a clear indication that the building was overloaded,” said regional civil defence director General Adel Zamzami.—AFP
