The Saudi authorities report that the floods which swept the port city of Jeddah on Wednesday killed at least 103 people. Rescue workers are still searching for dozens of missing people.

Saudi newspapers have often criticised the sewage infrastructure in Jeddah which they say was mismanaged and never completed as well as the unauthorised construction of housing on dry river beds. They say there would not have been so many victims if the infrastructure had been adequate and if the authorities had taken steps against the unauthorised housing projects. Also, many roads have been destroyed by flash floods.

The majority of those killed in the floods were reportedly foreign workers and the remainder Saudi citizens. The authorities say that none of the Muslim pilgrims who are in the country for the annual hajj to Mecca were killed.

King Fahd's Fountain in Jeddah
Photo by Wikimedia Commons