29 Jan 2011

Demonstrators detained in Jeddah

1:52 pm on 29 January 2011

Dozens of demonstrators have been detained in Jeddah after trying to protest about poor infrastructure following deadly floods in the second biggest city in Saudi Arabia.

Some streets were still submerged on Friday, two days after the flooding that killed at least four people.

Residents said the floods were four metres deep in some places.

Mass messages were sent over smartphones calling for popular action.

The protesters gathered in a main shopping street for about 15 minutes after Friday prayers.

About 120 people were killed the last time the city was flooded, in 2009.