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Mecca crane tragedy: At least 65 dead after crane collapses in Grand Mosque Mecca crane tragedy: At least 65 dead after crane collapses in Grand Mosque
(34 minutes later)
At least 65 people have died and dozens more been injured when a crane collapsed in Mecca’s Grand Mosque.At least 65 people have died and dozens more been injured when a crane collapsed in Mecca’s Grand Mosque.
Storms are believed to have caused the collapse of the crane which appeared to have crashed through a ceiling at the religious centre. Lightning was reported to have struck the crane before it fell.Storms are believed to have caused the collapse of the crane which appeared to have crashed through a ceiling at the religious centre. Lightning was reported to have struck the crane before it fell.
Pictures on social media showed dazed and bloodied survivors staggering past debris in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.Pictures on social media showed dazed and bloodied survivors staggering past debris in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.
Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence authority put the toll at 65 dead and 154 injured but there were fears the numbers could rise.Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence authority put the toll at 65 dead and 154 injured but there were fears the numbers could rise.
Footage broadcast from inside the site by Al-Jazeera Television showed the floor strewn with rubble and what appeared to be pools of blood. Another video, on a Twitter posting, captured the apparent moment of the crane's collapse during a heavy rainstorm, with a loud boom, screams and confusion.Footage broadcast from inside the site by Al-Jazeera Television showed the floor strewn with rubble and what appeared to be pools of blood. Another video, on a Twitter posting, captured the apparent moment of the crane's collapse during a heavy rainstorm, with a loud boom, screams and confusion.
The crane is thought to have struck the third floor of the Grand Mosque around 5.45pm when the mosque was packed, with the 6.30pm Friday prayers approaching.The crane is thought to have struck the third floor of the Grand Mosque around 5.45pm when the mosque was packed, with the 6.30pm Friday prayers approaching.
"Dozens of ambulances are heading to the site. The authorities closed off the area shortly afterwards," said Al Jazeera's Hasan Patel."Dozens of ambulances are heading to the site. The authorities closed off the area shortly afterwards," said Al Jazeera's Hasan Patel.
Construction cranes surround the mosque in an image taken from January (Reuters)
"This whole place is already a construction site. What made it worse is that around 5.30pm there was severe rain and it's just gushing down the road," he said. "I am surrounded by people who are grieving. The mood here is of sadness.""This whole place is already a construction site. What made it worse is that around 5.30pm there was severe rain and it's just gushing down the road," he said. "I am surrounded by people who are grieving. The mood here is of sadness."
The accident took place as the Grand Mosque prepared to welcome millions of pilgrims in a few weeks’ time during Islam's annual haj pilgrimage, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.The accident took place as the Grand Mosque prepared to welcome millions of pilgrims in a few weeks’ time during Islam's annual haj pilgrimage, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Parts of the Grand Mosque complex were under construction amid plans to increase capacity and to make the pilgrimage safer - in the past it has been the scene of tragedies including stampedes which left many pilgrims dead.Parts of the Grand Mosque complex were under construction amid plans to increase capacity and to make the pilgrimage safer - in the past it has been the scene of tragedies including stampedes which left many pilgrims dead.
Security services often ring Islam's sacred city with checkpoints and other measures to prevent people arriving for the pilgrimage without authorization, and last year the number of pilgrims was restricted as a safety measure because of the construction work.Security services often ring Islam's sacred city with checkpoints and other measures to prevent people arriving for the pilgrimage without authorization, and last year the number of pilgrims was restricted as a safety measure because of the construction work.
The Grand Mosque, the Masjid al-Haram, or Grand Mosque, is Islam’s most sacred destination and the Kaaba, the black cube-shaped building Muslims face when they pray, dates from the 16th century.The Grand Mosque, the Masjid al-Haram, or Grand Mosque, is Islam’s most sacred destination and the Kaaba, the black cube-shaped building Muslims face when they pray, dates from the 16th century.
Muslims are expected to perform pilgrimages to the site ate least once during their lifetime. Once there they walk round the Kaaba seven times anti-clockwise in a rite known as Tawaf.Muslims are expected to perform pilgrimages to the site ate least once during their lifetime. Once there they walk round the Kaaba seven times anti-clockwise in a rite known as Tawaf.
The huge complex covers more than 88 acres and includes indoor and outdoor prayer areas. It is open 24 hours a day.The huge complex covers more than 88 acres and includes indoor and outdoor prayer areas. It is open 24 hours a day.
In July Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz announced a further five projects to increase the capacity of the complex, including tunnels and squares.In July Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz announced a further five projects to increase the capacity of the complex, including tunnels and squares.
The project to expand Mecca’s Grand Mosque was launched in 2011 by the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and construction costs are estimated at more than $26 billion.The project to expand Mecca’s Grand Mosque was launched in 2011 by the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and construction costs are estimated at more than $26 billion.