The Azerbaijan embassy in Saudi Arabia informed Trend that no Azerbaijani citizens were among the victims of a fire broken up in one of hotels in Mecca.
Immediately after the fire the embassy appealed to the relevant bodies of the Saudi Arabia requesting assistance in identifying existence of Azerbaijani pilgrims among victims. No positive reply has been provided yet.
Saudi media reported on death of 16 people as a result of the incident, while the nationality of the victims is still to be identified, an embassy representative advised.
The fire covered the lower floors of the building and the residents of the hotel (mostly Muslims making pilgrimage to Mecca) were evacuated through the helicopters. The law-enforcement bodies launched investigation.
According to Saudi organizer of Hajj, this year almost 3 million Muslims, including 1.3mln foreign Muslims, will execute the fifth table of Islam in Mecca and its outskirts.