Sunday, July 5, 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

    Weaning Canada Off Fossil Fuels: Scholars Says Low Carbon Economy Within Reach

    Weaning Canada Off Fossil Fuels: Scholars Says Low Carbon Economy Within Reach
    Dozens of Canada's top scholars are urging a sweeping remake of how the country produces and uses its energy in a necessary effort to wean itself off fossil fuels.

    Weaning Canada Off Fossil Fuels: Scholars Says Low Carbon Economy Within Reach

    Harper And Netanyahu To Talk Sunday For First Time Since Israeli Election

    Harper And Netanyahu To Talk Sunday For First Time Since Israeli Election
    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is planning a Sunday telephone call to his Israeli counterpart and friend, Benjamin Netanyahu.

    Harper And Netanyahu To Talk Sunday For First Time Since Israeli Election

    Toronto Transit Driver Dhanbir Shergill Charged In Death Of 14-year-old Girl

    Toronto Transit Driver Dhanbir Shergill Charged In Death Of 14-year-old Girl
    Police say 28-year-old Dhanbir Shergill of Bowmanville, Ont., is charged with dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

    Toronto Transit Driver Dhanbir Shergill Charged In Death Of 14-year-old Girl

    Cheap Gas Prices Keep February Inflation Rate Low At 1.0%: Statistics Canada

    OTTAWA — The country's annual inflation rate held steady for the second straight month as higher price tags nearly across the board met headwinds created by low gasoline prices, Statistics Canada said Friday.

    Cheap Gas Prices Keep February Inflation Rate Low At 1.0%: Statistics Canada

    Canadian Waste Angers Filipinos; Canada Says It's 'Private Commercial Matter'

    Canadian Waste Angers Filipinos; Canada Says It's 'Private Commercial Matter'
    OTTAWA — Fifty containers of reeking Canadian garbage, including used adult diapers, have been languishing in the port of Manila for almost two years, sparking recent protests in the Philippines by environmental and public health activists.

    Canadian Waste Angers Filipinos; Canada Says It's 'Private Commercial Matter'

    Vancouver Canucks Fall Flat In 6-2 Loss To Columbus Blue Jackets

    Vancouver Canucks Fall Flat In 6-2 Loss To Columbus Blue Jackets
    Trailing the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 after blowing a 2-0 lead, they had plenty of time to get back in a game that was critical in the tight Western Conference playoff race.

    Vancouver Canucks Fall Flat In 6-2 Loss To Columbus Blue Jackets