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Mecca crane collapse: Saudi inquiry into Grand Mosque disaster Mecca crane collapse: Saudi inquiry into Grand Mosque disaster
(about 3 hours later)
Saudi Arabia has begun an investigation after a crane collapsed in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, killing at least 107 people. Saudi Arabia has begun an investigation into why a crane collapsed in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, killing at least 107 people.
The huge red crane crashed into a part of the Grand Mosque - which was filled with worshippers at the time. The huge red crane crashed into a part of the Grand Mosque as it was filled with worshippers.
The inquiry is taking place as criticism grows over safety standards at the holy site. Officials say strong winds and heavy rains caused the crane to fall.
It is unclear how many of the victims were killed by the collapse or the stampede that followed it. Correspondents say there have previously been concerns about safety records on Saudi construction sites.
At least 230 people were injured in the incident. The Grand Mosque, known as the Masjid al-Haram, is the largest mosque in the world and surrounds Islam's holiest place, the Kaaba.
The collapse happened at 17:23 local time (14:23 GMT) on Friday. At least 230 people were injured in the incident. It is unclear how many people were hurt by the collapse or the stampede that followed it.
The head of Saudi Arabia's civil defence agency, Lt Sulayman Bin-Abdullah al-Amr, said strong winds and heavy rains caused the crane to fall. The incident happened at 17:23 local time (14:23 GMT) on Friday.
Mecca is currently preparing for the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage.
Thousands of people are expected to arrive in the Saudi city from all over the world later this month.
Lt Amr said the city had been hit by unusually high levels of rainfall and winds of up to 83kph (50mph) shortly before the crane came crashing down.
Videos posted online showed the moment the structure collapsed, with a loud crash followed by panic and shouting. Bodies and blood could be seen on the floor of the mosque.Videos posted online showed the moment the structure collapsed, with a loud crash followed by panic and shouting. Bodies and blood could be seen on the floor of the mosque.
Lt Amr said an investigation was being carried out to assess the damage, and the "extent of the safety of these sites". The head of Saudi Arabia's civil defence agency, Lt Sulayman Bin-Abdullah al-Amr, said an investigation was being carried out to assess the damage, and the "extent of the safety of these sites".
Essam al-Ghalib, a Jeddah-based journalist, said the crane fell through the outer ring of the Grand Mosque and punctured through the roof sending sending down tonnes of cement and debris onto people either praying or walking through.
Mecca is currently preparing for the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. Up to two million people are expected to arrive in the Saudi city from all over the world later this month.
Irfan Al-Alawi, from the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, told the BBC that the Grand Mosque is currently surrounded by 15 large cranes amid major redevelopment work.Irfan Al-Alawi, from the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, told the BBC that the Grand Mosque is currently surrounded by 15 large cranes amid major redevelopment work.
"The entire area is like a salvage yard," Mr Al-Alawi said."The entire area is like a salvage yard," Mr Al-Alawi said.
"Saudi Arabia has to re-think its health and safety strategy," he said, "as there were 800,000 people in the mosque area at the time of the accident.""Saudi Arabia has to re-think its health and safety strategy," he said, "as there were 800,000 people in the mosque area at the time of the accident."
Mecca is preparing to welcome about two million Muslims from around the world for the Hajj, which begins in about 10 days' time. The original parts of the Grand Mosque date back 1,400 years. Consisting of a large square surrounded by covered prayer areas, the building has since been extensively modernised, notably from the mid-20th Century.
Islam requires that every Muslim capable of doing so performs a pilgrimage to the site at least once in their lifetime.
Saudi authorities began a major expansion of the site last year to increase the area of the mosque by 400,000 square metres (4.3 million square feet), to allow it to accommodate up to 2.2 million people at once.Saudi authorities began a major expansion of the site last year to increase the area of the mosque by 400,000 square metres (4.3 million square feet), to allow it to accommodate up to 2.2 million people at once.
More than three million people undertook the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in 2012. Saudi authorities have taken steps since 2013 to limit the number of people involved.
Large numbers of people have resulted in several tragedies over the years.
Are you in Mecca? Were you in the area where the crane collapsed? If you are safe and willing to share your story please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in Mecca? Were you in the area where the crane collapsed? If you are safe and willing to share your story please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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