The death toll from Thursday's collapse of an aging hostel in the holy city of Mecca went up to 77, AFP reported on Friday.
Interior ministry spokesman General Mansul al-Turki said Thursday that the rubble of the hostel in a crowded street near the Grand Mosque was being removed "very carefully" in the hope of finding survivors.
Survivors said most pilgrims staying in the hostel came from India, Libya, Pakistan or the United Arab Emirates. The English-language Arab News said Friday that Saudi authorities confirmed that three of the dead were Emiratis.
