Saudi Civil Defense evacuates 179 pilgrims after building catches fire

The Saudi Civil Defense has evacuated 179 pilgrims, hailing mainly from India and Burma, after a residential building caught fire in the holy city of Mecca, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported on Sunday.

There were 13 lightly injured pilgrims, KUNA reported the Saudi Civil Defense saying in a statement, adding that they were immediately treated at the site.

Saudi Civil Defense spokesman, lieutenant Abdullah al-Harithi, said that the situation is under control and investigation is undergoing to find out the reasons on how the fire has started.

Muslim pilgrims are descending in droves on Mecca for the hajj, the world’s largest annual gathering which Saudi Arabia insists will not be affected by instability rocking the region.

Officials say the main events, which begin Wednesday, are expected to attract more than two million devotees from across the world.

Thursday is the most important day, when pilgrims assemble in the Arafat plain outside Mecca. The pilgrimage ends after Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, on Friday.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that every capable Muslim must perform at least once.