Unesco-listed Old Sana'a houses collapse as heavy rains hit Yemen

Around 111 houses had partly or completely collapsed in recent weeks.

Around 5,000 of the towering buildings in the old city have leaky roofs, and 107 have partially collapsed roofs. This year's heavy rains, which began mid-April and last into early September, have added to what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Facade of some of the Unesco-listed buildings in the old city of Sana'a following heavy rains.

Workers demolish a building damaged by rain in the heritage site.

Historic Cities Preservation Authority officials said citizens today do not maintain these old buildings as in the past, leading to cracks and weakness.

Workers demolish a building damaged by rain in the Unesco World Heritage site of the old city of Sana'a. The distinctive brown and white mud-brick houses in the historic neighbourhoods, which date from before the 11th century, have long been under threat.

This year's exceptionally heavy rains, which began mid-April and last into early September, have added to what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

A collapsed building in the old city of Sana'a following heavy rains. Around 111 houses had partly or entirely collapsed in recent weeks.