Tuesday, June 9, 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

    Police Shooting In Gaspe, Quebec Leaves Man Dead

    Police Shooting In Gaspe, Quebec Leaves Man Dead
    Quebec's public security minister has asked the Quebec City police force to investigate a fatal shooting involving provincial police in the Gaspe region.

    Police Shooting In Gaspe, Quebec Leaves Man Dead

    Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau Says No To Coalition Idea With New Democrats

    WINNIPEG — Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is rejecting any idea of a formal coalition with the NDP.

    Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau Says No To Coalition Idea With New Democrats

    Judge Orders New Mental Health Assessment For Man In Via Terror Case

    Judge Orders New Mental Health Assessment For Man In Via Terror Case
    Justice Michael Code ordered a fresh 30-day assessment for Chiheb Esseghaier under Ontario's Mental Health Act on Friday, in what he has called a very complicated matter.

    Judge Orders New Mental Health Assessment For Man In Via Terror Case

    Newfoundland Professor Stable After Multiple Stabbings At California Home

    ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Police say a 52-year-old Newfoundland man is in stable condition after suffering injuries in a stabbing incident at his sister's home in California that resulted in the deaths of his brother-in-law and nephew.

    Newfoundland Professor Stable After Multiple Stabbings At California Home

    Anti-Terror Bill Not In Keeping With Canada's International Obligations: UN

    Anti-Terror Bill Not In Keeping With Canada's International Obligations: UN
    OTTAWA — The United Nations Human Rights Committee is raising concerns about Canada's new anti-terror legislation, saying it could run afoul of the international covenant on civil and political rights.

    Anti-Terror Bill Not In Keeping With Canada's International Obligations: UN

    Iringa, Former Toronto Zoo Elephant, Dies In California Sanctuary

    Iringa, Former Toronto Zoo Elephant, Dies In California Sanctuary
    The Performing Animals Welfare Society sanctuary in San Andreas, Calif., said the 46-year-old Iringa was humanely euthanized Wednesday following a history of degenerative joint and foot disease.

    Iringa, Former Toronto Zoo Elephant, Dies In California Sanctuary