More than 100 killed in Makkah crane collapse

More than 100 people have been killed and scores more wounded in Makkah’s Grand Mosque after a crane collapsed on Friday, Al Arabiya News Channel reported citing the Saudi Civil Defense authority.

It is believed the crane collapsed in high winds and severe rainfall.

The Saudi civil defense Twitter account said 15 search and rescue teams were at the scene, transporting the wounded to hospital.

makkah crane collapse Al Arabiya

Also watch: Video captures moment of deadly crane collapse in Makkah

Pictures circulating on social media showed pilgrims in bloodied robes and masses of debris from a part of the crane that seemed to have crashed through a ceiling.

The Emir of Makkah Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has commissioned a committee to investigate the cause of the deadly collapse.

News of the collapse came about an hour after civil defense tweeted that Mecca was “witnessing medium to heavy rains.”

The incident occurred as hundreds of thousands of Muslims are due to gather from around the world for the annual hajj pilgrimage set to begin later this month.

(With Reuters & AFP)