A huge construction crane buffeted by strong winds collapsed and crashed onto the Grand Mosque in Mecca today, killing as many as 65 worshipers a few days before the start of the annual Muslim pilgrimage. It was reported that as many as many as 154 people were injured.
Before the crane accident, the Civil Defense had been warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and wind in the area. The Saudi Civil Defense says search and rescue teams and medical workers from the Saudi Red Crescent have been sent to the scene.
The accident occurred as the kingdom prepared to welcome three million people to the Muslim holy city for the annual pilgrimage that begins September 21.
The Grand Mosque or Great Mosque of Mecca (also known as Masjid al-Haram) is the largest mosque in the world. It surrounds Islam’s holiest place, the Kaaba, in the city of Mecca. Muslims face in the direction of the Kaaba while performing their obligatory daily prayers.
The complex covers 88.2 acres, which includes outdoor and indoor prayer spaces. It is open 24 hours a day.
Last year, the numbers of people permitted to perform the hajj was lowered for safety reasons because of construction work to enlarge the Grand Mosque. [myad]
