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| Morocco minaret fall kills many | Morocco minaret fall kills many |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| At least 36 people were killed in Morocco when a minaret collapsed at a mosque in the central town of Meknes, officials say. | At least 36 people were killed in Morocco when a minaret collapsed at a mosque in the central town of Meknes, officials say. |
| More than 60 people were injured in the accident at the Berdieyinne mosque in Meknes' old city during Friday prayers, according to Moroccan state television. | More than 60 people were injured in the accident at the Berdieyinne mosque in Meknes' old city during Friday prayers, according to Moroccan state television. |
| The TV report said that the collapse came after heavy rains which lashed the region for several days. | The TV report said that the collapse came after heavy rains which lashed the region for several days. |
| The minaret is said to have been four centuries old. | The minaret is said to have been four centuries old. |
| Many people are said to be buried under the rubble of the collapsed tower. | Many people are said to be buried under the rubble of the collapsed tower. |
| A resident, Khaled Rahmouni, told Reuters news agency that about 300 worshippers had gathered inside the mosque for Friday afternoon prayers. | A resident, Khaled Rahmouni, told Reuters news agency that about 300 worshippers had gathered inside the mosque for Friday afternoon prayers. |
| "When the imam was about to start his sermon, the minaret fell down," he said. | "When the imam was about to start his sermon, the minaret fell down," he said. |
| Moroccan television added that the interior and religious affairs ministers had visited the site to supervise rescue operations. | Moroccan television added that the interior and religious affairs ministers had visited the site to supervise rescue operations. |
| The officials visited the injured, who had been taken to hospitals in Meknes and the nearby city of Fez. | The officials visited the injured, who had been taken to hospitals in Meknes and the nearby city of Fez. |
| Observers say that while neglected buildings in the old quarters of Morocco's cities collapse fairly often, the fall of a minaret is rare. | Observers say that while neglected buildings in the old quarters of Morocco's cities collapse fairly often, the fall of a minaret is rare. |
| King Mohammed VI ordered the minaret to rebuilt. | |
| Meknes is on Unesco's world heritage list. |