“Some other steps may follow. They may be banned from travel and may not return to their jobs until their cases are finally settled,” the sources told Arab News.

They added that the files of all those detained after floods will be submitted to judicial authorities who will issue a ruling either acquitting or condemning them.

Security sources, on the other hand, told Arab News that the only entity authorized to speak about detention resulting from the floods is the investigation committee formed by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah under Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal. They said the committee would announce its findings once its work had been completed.

Local press reports Tuesday said 12 of the individuals detained, including officials of the Jeddah municipality, had been released. The police have detained a number of suspects for their alleged role in the floods which killed 124 persons. The detainees also included officials who were already under observation by the Governorate and other concerned parties for “excessiveness” in the performance of their duties a few month before the crisis.

More than 30 individuals from the municipality and the Ministry of Water, including retirees, in addition to contractors and businessmen have been in detention for more than 70 days on suspicion that they had a responsibility for the crisis.