Friday, 15 March, 2002, 12:19 GMT

 

Saudi police 'stopped' fire rescue

Friday, 15 March, 2002, 12:19 GMT

 

Saudi police 'stopped' fire rescue

 


The Mecca city governor visited the fire-damaged school

Saudi Arabia's religious police stopped schoolgirls from leaving a blazing building because they were not wearing correct Islamic dress, according to Saudi newspapers.

In a rare criticism of the kingdom's powerful "mutaween" police, the Saudi media has accused them of hindering attempts to save 15 girls who died in the fire on Monday.

About 800 pupils were inside the school in the holy city of Mecca when the tragedy occurred.