Hotel blaze kills 15 pilgrims in Saudi

Fifteen pilgrims have been reported dead and 130 injured in a hotel fire in the Saudi city of Medina.

A fire at a hotel in the Saudi holy city of Medina has killed 15 pilgrims and injured 130 others, state-run news agency SPA reports.

Officials quoted by SPA did not identify the victims on Saturday but said about 700 pilgrims had been staying at the hotel in Medina to perform the omra, or minor, pilgrimage.

An earlier toll said 12 people were killed in the blaze.

The fire broke out in the afternoon and was brought under control a few hours later, with survivors moved to other hotels in the city.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze.

Once a year Muslims perform the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Islam's holiest city, but they can make the omra pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia all year round.