RIYADH, Jan. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Death toll in a hotel collapse in the holy Muslim city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia has risen to 53, well-informed sources said on Friday.

    Earlier, the al-Jazeera TV channel put the number of the dead at 34.

    The collapse took place at a multi-story building used as a hostel near the Sheraton Hotel in Mecca on Thursday, said the sources.

    Saudi Red Crescent teams are trying to look for possible survivors strapped beneath the rubble.

    Medics said that the death toll might rise further as the rescue is still going on.

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