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Death toll from Jeddah floods at more than 100

DUBAI– Saudi emergency services say the death toll from floods that tore through the port city of Jeddah this week has risen to 103, with another 1,400 rescued, according to the state news agency.

Torrents of water inundated the Red Sea port on Wednesday after Saudi Arabia saw some of its heaviest rainfall in years. Many people were drowned or were killed by collapsing bridges and in car crashes.

No pilgrims attending the annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage, 80km away in Mecca, were among the dead, officials have said. Jeddah is the main entry point to the kingdom for pilgrims.

Newspapers have repeatedly reported on the poor condition of the sewerage infrastructure of the city, where many people live in unauthorised developments built on dry riverbeds.

– (Reuters)