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Mosque Minaret Collapses in Morocco, Killing 41

   VOA News 20 February 2010
   Residents of the Tizimi neighborhood in Meknes' old quarter carry from
   the  morgue  a  victim of the collapse of a historic minaret, February
   20, 2010

Photo: AFP

   Residents of the Tizimi neighborhood in Meknes' old quarter carry from
   the  morgue  a  victim of the collapse of a historic minaret, February
   20, 2010

   The  death  toll  a  day after the collapse of a minaret at a historic
   Morocco mosque has risen to 41.
   Officials say at least 17 people remain hospitalized Saturday.
   The accident occurred during Friday prayers, as worshippers packed the
   Bab  Berdieyinne  Mosque  in  the  historic  city  of Meknes, some 130
   kilometers from Rabat.
   Authorities  blame  the  minaret's collapse on heavy rainfall over the
   last few days.
   Local  officials  say  the  rescue  operation  went slowly because the
   mosque, which was built four centuries ago, is located in the crammed,
   bustling  area  of  the  Old City.  Rescuers used their hands to clear
   debris from the site.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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