CAIRO, Jan. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Fifteen people were killed and 39 others injured when a building collapsed in the Saudi holy city of Mecca on Thursday, the al-Arabiya TV channel reported.

   But a local government official disputed the number of casualties, saying that four people were killed and that one was wounded.

   The incident took place at a four-story building near the Sheraton Hotel in Mecca, according to al-Arabiya.

   Saudi Red Crescent teams immediately rushed to the scene and were searching for people still trapped beneath the rubble.

   The tragedy occurred when pilgrims coming from different parts of the world converged in the Muslim holy city of Mecca to perform the hajj, which formally kicks off on Sunday. Enditem