Sanaa's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old City buildings collapse after rainstorms across Yemen
Video
Built approximately 2,500 years ago, the Old City of Sanaa, Yemen, is known as one of the world's oldest cities and boasts over 6,000 historical buildings, many of which are still in use today. However, concerns are mounting after a month of heavy rainfall that swept through the country and subsequent flooding led to parts of Sanaa's historic Old City collapsing. It's believed that over 2,000 buildings in the Old City of Sanaa are now damaged - not just because of the heavy rains, but also due to damage endured from previous warfare and a lack of maintenance. There are fears that the ancient site could face more damage if action is not taken. Sanaa's Old City was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986, cementing its global status as a key historical centre. But in 2015, after years of civil war, UNESCO updated the listing a 'World Heritage Site in Danger'