25 people killed in Saudi wedding fire

A fire caused by a falling power cable killed 25 people, including children, in Saudi Arabia and injured nearly 30 others during a wedding on Tuesday night, newspapers in the Gulf Kingdom reported on Wednesday.

Hundreds of children, women and men were attending the wedding at a house in the eastern town of Abqaiq when the blaze started.

Police said initial reports showed 25 children, women and men died in the fire while nearly 30 others suffered from medium to serious injuries.

“The fire was caused by a falling power cable in the backyard, where some guests were attending the wedding,” Aleqtisadiah newspaper said, quoting police spokesman in the eastern region, Colonel Mohammed Al Ujaimi.

The paper said police found spent bullets on the site, indicating the cable snapped and came down because of firing in the air.

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