Monday, June 15, 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

    New Rules Coming For Companies Risking Hazardous Spills In B.C.

    New Rules Coming For Companies Risking Hazardous Spills In B.C.
    VANCOUVER — British Columbia is unprepared for a major land-based, hazardous-material spill because current rules and regulations are outdated — and that needs to change, says the province's environment minister.

    New Rules Coming For Companies Risking Hazardous Spills In B.C.

    Suspects In Toronto Slaying May Be Headed To B.C., Police Say

    Suspects In Toronto Slaying May Be Headed To B.C., Police Say
    Vancouver police say Clyde Marshall of New Brunswick and Sabrina Chouart of Quebec may be travelling to the Lower Mainland.

    Suspects In Toronto Slaying May Be Headed To B.C., Police Say

    Chairman Of Vancouver's School Board Christopher Richardson Resigns, Cites Personal Reasons

    Chairman Of Vancouver's School Board Christopher Richardson Resigns, Cites Personal Reasons
    Christopher Richardson announced his resignation Monday night, saying he is giving up the post because of personal reasons but plans to remain on as a trustee.

    Chairman Of Vancouver's School Board Christopher Richardson Resigns, Cites Personal Reasons

    Civil Society Coalition Takes Aim At Harper Government For Stifling Dissent

    Civil Society Coalition Takes Aim At Harper Government For Stifling Dissent
    OTTAWA — A report coming out today accuses the Harper government of stifling dissent and crushing democracy by punishing civil society groups.

    Civil Society Coalition Takes Aim At Harper Government For Stifling Dissent

    Communities Pledge To Find 20,000 Homeless People Permanent Shelter By 2018

    Communities Pledge To Find 20,000 Homeless People Permanent Shelter By 2018
    The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness is spearheading the Canadian campaign, modeled on a similar U.S. program that found homes for more than 100,000 people over four years.

    Communities Pledge To Find 20,000 Homeless People Permanent Shelter By 2018

    Journalist Laura Robinson Says Furlong's Accusation Of Extortion Is '100 Per Cent Mistruth'

    Journalist Laura Robinson Says Furlong's Accusation Of Extortion Is '100 Per Cent Mistruth'
    VANCOUVER — A journalist who is suing former Vancouver Olympic CEO John Furlong for defamation says she was devastated and shocked after he implied she tried to extort money from him.

    Journalist Laura Robinson Says Furlong's Accusation Of Extortion Is '100 Per Cent Mistruth'