Monday, June 8, 2026
ADVT 
National

Over 65 Killed As Crane Falls On Mecca's Grand Mosque

Darpan News Desk IANS, 11 Sep, 2015 10:38 AM
    Over 65 people were killed after a crane collapsed on to the Grand Mosque in the Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah, which is preparing for the Annual Haj.
     
    At least 65 people have been killed and at least 30 injured, reported the BBC, citing the Saudi civil defence authority.
     
     
     
     
    It was raining heavily at the time. Few other details are available. Images from the scene showed part of a huge red crane had crashed through the roof of the mosque.Mecca is preparing for the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage.
     
    Construction work has been going on at the Grand Mosque for years to make it big enough to cope with the huge numbers of people who come each year.
     
     
    The incident occurred as hundreds of thousands of Muslims gather from all over the world for the annual hajj pilgrimage set to begin later this month, and Saudi authorities go to great lengths to be prepared for the millions of Muslims who converge on Makkah.
     
    The Grand Mosque is usually at its most crowded on Fridays, the Muslim weekly day of prayer.
     
     
     
     
    Last year, the kingdom reduced the numbers permitted to perform haj for safety reasons because of construction work to enlarge the Grand Mosque.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Was To Be Deported: Paralyzed Filipino Worker In Edmonton Gets New Work Permit

    Was To Be Deported: Paralyzed Filipino Worker In Edmonton Gets New Work Permit
    EDMONTON — A Filipino woman who was employed as a temporary foreign worker in Edmonton when she was paralyzed and ordered deported doesn't have to leave after all.

    Was To Be Deported: Paralyzed Filipino Worker In Edmonton Gets New Work Permit

    Comedian John Oliver Pokes Fun At Ottawa Amid Fallout From Ashley Madison Hack

    Comedian John Oliver Pokes Fun At Ottawa Amid Fallout From Ashley Madison Hack
    TORONTO — Comedian John Oliver is taking the residents of Canada's capital to task for their alleged extra-marital affairs.

    Comedian John Oliver Pokes Fun At Ottawa Amid Fallout From Ashley Madison Hack

    Taxpayers Not Footing The Bill For Kanye West's Pan Am Performance: Organizers

    Taxpayers Not Footing The Bill For Kanye West's Pan Am Performance: Organizers
    TORONTO — Organizers say taxpayers aren't footing the bill for Kanye West's headlining performance at the Pan Am Games closing ceremony on Sunday.

    Taxpayers Not Footing The Bill For Kanye West's Pan Am Performance: Organizers

    Missing Russian Helicopter Pilot Found 'Alive And Well' On Ice Floe In Northern Canada: Military

    Missing Russian Helicopter Pilot Found 'Alive And Well' On Ice Floe In Northern Canada: Military
    IQALUIT, Nunavut — A Russian helicopter pilot survived a crash of his small helicopter into frigid Arctic waters by scrambling into a life-raft and then spending over 30 hours awaiting rescue on an ice floe, military officials said Monday.

    Missing Russian Helicopter Pilot Found 'Alive And Well' On Ice Floe In Northern Canada: Military

    File Breach At Electronic Spy Agency Prompts Mandatory Privacy Training

    File Breach At Electronic Spy Agency Prompts Mandatory Privacy Training
    OTTAWA — Canada's electronic spy agency introduced mandatory privacy awareness training for all employees in March following an internal breach involving personal information.

    File Breach At Electronic Spy Agency Prompts Mandatory Privacy Training

    Lawyer Challenges PM To Seek Top Court's Advice On Refusal To Appoint Senators

    Lawyer Challenges PM To Seek Top Court's Advice On Refusal To Appoint Senators
    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is being challenged to ask the Supreme Court of Canada whether his moratorium on Senate appointments is constitutional.

    Lawyer Challenges PM To Seek Top Court's Advice On Refusal To Appoint Senators