990401

Dozen Hujjaj

treated for

inhaling smoke

caused by fire

MAKKAH, (Saudi Arabia): A fire ignited by cooking, gas bottles has destroyed 40 tents and left a dozen Hajj pilgrims requiring treatment for smoke inhalation at the annual pilgrimage near Makkah, a newspaper reported on Monday.

No-one was seriously hurt in the fire on Saturday night at Mina, just outside the holy city, the Al-Jazira daily said.

The 12 people who went to Mina's Al-Wadi hospital were able to leave after treatment.

Pilgrims were safely evacuated from the area and the fire doused by Saudi civil defence workers.

Several gas bottles found hidden under a car were confiscated by civil defence authorities who arrested several suspects, Al-Jazira said.

Possession of three or more bottles has been declared a crime punishable by jail.

The Saudi authorities have taken a package of safety measures to combat fire including erecting 28,000 fireproof tents equipped with water sprinklers and alarms.

Another 12,000 more are due to added in time for the Hajj 2000, at a total cost of 640 million dollars.

Last year at least 118 pilgrims died and more than 180 were injured in a stampede during the stoning on the final day of the Hajj.

More than 1.7 million Muslims have taken part in this year's Hajj, which ends on Monday.ÑAFP