*** ----> 12 die in Saudi Arabia due to thunderstorms, flooding | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

12 die in Saudi Arabia due to thunderstorms, flooding

Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense says thunderstorms and flooding along the Red Sea coast have claimed the lives of 12 people over the past two days, half of them children.

The toll rose on Wednesday as authorities confirmed more deaths in an announcement on Twitter.

The six children who died in the provinces of Yanbu, Ha'il and on the outskirts of the coastal city of Jiddah either drowned or were swept away by floodwaters.

For a third straight day this week, classes were suspended at schools and universities along some areas in Saudi Arabia's northwest.