25 die at Saudi wedding as high-voltage power line falls

PanARMENIAN.Net - Twenty-five people have died and 30 others were hurt in a fire at a wedding in eastern Saudi Arabia, according to BBC News.

Hundreds were inside the courtyard of a home in the village of Ain Badr, in the Abqaiq region, when the blaze began.

A high-voltage power line reportedly fell down and sent sparks flying after it was hit by celebratory gunfire. The power line is also believed to have touched a metal door at the only exit from the courtyard, which lead to many of the victims being electrocuted.

Civil Defense Directorate sources told al-Arabiya that most of the casualties were women, though men and children also reportedly died.

Survivors have been taken to the Aramco and Central Abqaiq hospitals.

Civil Defense spokesman Col Mohammed al-Ajami said the governor of Eastern Province had ordered the authorities to investigate the incident.