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Mecca crane collapse: India and Pakistan death toll rises | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The number of Indians killed in the crane collapse in the Muslim holy city of Mecca has risen to 11, India's foreign ministry has said. | The number of Indians killed in the crane collapse in the Muslim holy city of Mecca has risen to 11, India's foreign ministry has said. |
Two Indians were initially counted among the more than 100 people killed in Friday's crash. | Two Indians were initially counted among the more than 100 people killed in Friday's crash. |
At least 11 Pakistani pilgrims have also died in the incident. | |
The crane crashed into the Grand Mosque, known as the Masjid al-Haram, as it was full of worshippers, almost two weeks before the Hajj pilgrimage. | |
The Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the world and surrounds Islam's holiest place, the Kaaba. | The Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the world and surrounds Islam's holiest place, the Kaaba. |
Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted that "after opening of mortuary" on Sunday evening "officials working with relatives have confirmed that 9 more Indians have unfortunately died". | Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted that "after opening of mortuary" on Sunday evening "officials working with relatives have confirmed that 9 more Indians have unfortunately died". |
He said the Indian "mission is extending all possible assistance to the families of the 11 deceased pilgrims to complete formalities". | He said the Indian "mission is extending all possible assistance to the families of the 11 deceased pilgrims to complete formalities". |
At least 107 people were killed and 230 injured in the incident on Friday. It is unclear how many people were hurt by the collapse or the stampede that followed it. | At least 107 people were killed and 230 injured in the incident on Friday. It is unclear how many people were hurt by the collapse or the stampede that followed it. |
The victims were said to include worshippers from Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Egypt, India and Pakistan. | The victims were said to include worshippers from Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Egypt, India and Pakistan. |
Officials say strong winds and heavy rains caused the crane to fall. | Officials say strong winds and heavy rains caused the crane to fall. |
Correspondents say there had previously been concerns about safety on Saudi construction sites. | Correspondents say there had previously been concerns about safety on Saudi construction sites. |
Up to two million people are expected to arrive in Mecca for the Hajj from all over the world later this month. | Up to two million people are expected to arrive in Mecca for the Hajj from all over the world later this month. |
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. | |
Saudi authorities began a major expansion of the site last year to increase the area of the mosque by 400,000 sq m (4.3m sq ft), 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 sq m (4.3m sq ft), to allow it to accommodate up to 2.2 million people at once. |