News

107 killed in Mecca crane collapse

by IBNS 11 Sep 2015, 08:36 pm

Mecca, Sept 12 (IBNS) The death toll in the crane collapse incident in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia on Friday has touched 107, media reports said on Saturday.

The mishap, which left several others injured, occurred when a huge red crane crashed into a part of the Grand Mosque.

Worshipers were  present inside the mosque when the crane collapsed.

Strong winds and heavy rains reportedly caused the collapse of the crane.

The collapse happened at 17:23 local time (14:23 GMT), Director-General of the Saudi Civil Defence Authority, Lt Sulayman Bin-Abdullah al-Amr was quoted as saying by BBC.


The Indian government  confirmed that 2 Indians have been killed while 15 other Indian nationals were injured in the mishap.

MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a statement: "Our officials from the Indian Consulate in Jeddah have been on the ground and monitoring the situation through the night. We have received reports that 15 Indians have been injured and are being assisted in various hospitals. These include 11 from the Haj Committee of India and 4 from Private Tour Operators."

"Regrettably we have been informed that 2 Indians have been killed in the unfortunate accident," he said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mourned the loss of lives in the mishap as he tweeted: "My thoughts & prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives in the crane crash in Mecca. I wish the injured a quick recovery."