Wednesday, June 17, 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

    Risk Of Trans Mountain Pipeline Spill Could Hurt Green Brand: Vancouver Mayor

    VANCOUVER — The City of Vancouver says the risks of Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline expansion to people, wildlife and the economy greatly outweigh the benefits.

    Risk Of Trans Mountain Pipeline Spill Could Hurt Green Brand: Vancouver Mayor

    Stateless Indo-Canadian Man, Deepan Budlakoti, Fights For Citizenship

    Stateless Indo-Canadian Man, Deepan Budlakoti, Fights For Citizenship
    Deepan Budlakoti, 25, born in Ottawa to Indian parents, was to be deported after drugs and firearms convictions four years ago and has since fought for reinstating his Canadian citizenship. 

    Stateless Indo-Canadian Man, Deepan Budlakoti, Fights For Citizenship

    Manmohan Singh Meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi After Attacking Govt

    Manmohan Singh Meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi After Attacking Govt
    Hours after rebutting the BJP's allegations of corruption and policy paralysis against the erstwhile UPA government, former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

    Manmohan Singh Meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi After Attacking Govt

    Bail Hearing Today For Son Of Canadian Diplomat Nabbed In Florida Killings

    Bail Hearing Today For Son Of Canadian Diplomat Nabbed In Florida Killings
    Fifteen-year-old Marc Wabafiyebazu wants to be released pending trial. The son of a Canada's consul general in Miami has pleaded not guilty to felony first-degree murder.

    Bail Hearing Today For Son Of Canadian Diplomat Nabbed In Florida Killings

    Canada Post And Hamilton Continue Court Fight Over Large Community Mailboxes

    Canada Post And Hamilton Continue Court Fight Over Large Community Mailboxes
    HAMILTON — Local governments should have a say in the placement of large community mailboxes even if federal law states they can go on municipal property, a lawyer for a southern Ontario city argued in court Wednesday.

    Canada Post And Hamilton Continue Court Fight Over Large Community Mailboxes

    Couillard Invites Pope Francis To Montreal For City's 375th Birthday In 2017

    Couillard Invites Pope Francis To Montreal For City's 375th Birthday In 2017
    VATICAN CITY — Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard met briefly with Pope Francis on Wednesday and invited the pontiff to Montreal to attend the city's 375th-anniversary celebrations in 2017.

    Couillard Invites Pope Francis To Montreal For City's 375th Birthday In 2017