JEDDAH, Feb 25(Arab News): The official death toll from the Jan. 26 floods in Jeddah has risen to 13 after two people passed away in hospital, spokesman for the Civil Defense in Jeddah Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al-Qarni said on Thursday.
The official denied reports that the number of people killed or missing in the flood was higher than the official figures.
"All concerned departments are keen on supplying facts about the dead or missing people with their name, nationality, age and place of missing,” he said, adding that it was unreasonable to suspect that the department was holding back the real list of the missing. "If anyone knew that some of his relatives or acquaintances died he will come forward and inform the Civil Defense," he said.
He also said officials make inquiries to verify the circumstances of any reported case of death due to the flooding.