Mecca Crane Crash Leaves Over 300 Dead And Injured, Including 2 Afghan Women
KABUL: (Middle East Press) A deadly crane crash in the Grand Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, killed at least 107 people, Saudi media reports on Friday.
The incident took place due to strong winds and storm that also caused in injuring of at least 238 people.
Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization also announced that 25 Iranian nationals were among the injured pilgrims.
Meanwhile, Afghan media reported that two Afghan women were also among the dead, however their identities are yet to be detailed.
The Saudi Civil Defense authority confirmed the incident and casualties on Twitter.
Witnesses say dozens of ambulances have arrived at the scene to remove the injured.
There have been a number of construction projects in the holy city of Mecca over the past few years. They are aimed at enlarging the Grand Mosque and its surrounding courtyards.
The accident happened at a time when hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims are flocking to the holy city to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The Grand Mosque is usually at its most crowded on Fridays, the Muslim weekly day of prayer.
