MAKKAH — About 35 judges and 450 employees of the General Court in Makkah come to work daily extremely worried because the court building, which is full of cracks, could collapse over their heads any time. They have warned of a potential disaster if the building collapses because it will also endanger their lives of thousands people who come to the court every day to complete legal formalities and attend cases. The employees asked the concerned authorities to do something to avert a tragedy by either completely revamping the building or transferring them to a safer place. According to the employees, the building has cracks in both its front and back facades and said the ground floor shakes under their feet and the ceramic was falling everywhere. A technical report by an engineering office noted the cracks and said the building should be carefully watched. An employee, who opted not to be identified, said the engineering office advised to carry out necessary repairs in the building. He, however, did not say if the repairs were carried out or not. He recalled that one day 56 people got stuck in the lift and they were extremely worried because the building did not have emergency exits. He also said there are frequent fires resulting from shortages in the electricity room. "The building is not only cracking but its surveillance cameras are not working," he said. The building is owned by the National Human Society for Human Rights (NSHR) and is rented at SR4.2 million annually. The employees said the court is now looking for another building, which should have at least 320 rooms.
