JEDDAH: There are 7,500 buildings on the verge of collapsing in Jeddah, according to the city’s municipality. Mohammad Al-Buqami, spokesman of the municipality, said the state of the buildings were assessed by engineering consultants hired for this purpose, a local publication reported.

The engineers reported that some buildings could be saved with extensive renovation, but others would have to be demolished completely because they are a danger to public health. He said two reports over the past few years had determined that 3,403 buildings would have to be demolished. However, the owners of the properties have not complied with notices to do so.

The assessments took place in the southern and northern parts of the city, with the engineering firm drawing up a detailed database of buildings that required urgent intervention. The area where the buildings have been identified were marked on special maps. There are several dilapidated buildings in Jeddah, particularly the old part of the city. Recently a man was killed when a house collapsed in the Al-Sham area of Old Jeddah.