At least 20 die in Saudi haj hostel collapse

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - At least 20 people were killed on Thursday when a hostel collapsed in the holy city of Mecca as thousands of Muslims gathered for the annual haj pilgrimage, a security official said.

Rescue workers using cranes and their bare hands sifted through the rubble as police cordoned off the area near the holy shrine that is the focal point of the haj, 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 in a building across the street.

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 1 million pilgrims are already in Mecca for the haj which starts on Sunday and at least 2.5 million are expected.

The haj has been marred by deaths in recent years. Some 250 pilgrims died in a stampede in 2004 during the stoning of three stone pillars which symbolize the devil.

Inside Mecca's central mosque, thousands gathered throughout the day to pray around the Kaaba, a black stone structure where Muslims believe God's presence is most felt on Earth.

Islam requires all able-bodied Muslims to perform the haj, a grueling five-day ritual, at least once in a lifetime.