Friday, June 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

    Former KGB Worker Mikhail Lennikov Voluntarily Leaves Canada After 6 Years Avoiding Deportation

    Former KGB Worker Mikhail Lennikov Voluntarily Leaves Canada After 6 Years Avoiding Deportation
    VANCOUVER — A former KGB agent who spent six years living inside a Vancouver church to avoid deportation has voluntarily left Canada.

    Former KGB Worker Mikhail Lennikov Voluntarily Leaves Canada After 6 Years Avoiding Deportation

    Some B.C. Residents Can Relax As Crews Make Progress Corralling Two Wildfires

    Some B.C. Residents Can Relax As Crews Make Progress Corralling Two Wildfires
     Crews are making good progress on a pair of wildfires burning in the south Okanagan near Oliver, B.C., south of Penticton.

    Some B.C. Residents Can Relax As Crews Make Progress Corralling Two Wildfires

    Canadian Reporter Once Jailed In Egypt Says Anti-Terror Law Enshrines Unjust System

    Canadian Reporter Once Jailed In Egypt Says Anti-Terror Law Enshrines Unjust System
    A Canadian journalist branded as a terrorist by the Egyptian government says new laws passed in the country today make it likely that other reporters will meet the same fate.

    Canadian Reporter Once Jailed In Egypt Says Anti-Terror Law Enshrines Unjust System

    Western Canada Feeling Twin Pains Of Low Crude And High Gas Prices

    Western Canada Feeling Twin Pains Of Low Crude And High Gas Prices
    CALGARY — Western Canada is being hit with the twin pains of the lowest prices for heavy crude in years alongside a significant spike in gasoline prices following a shutdown at a major U.S. refinery.

    Western Canada Feeling Twin Pains Of Low Crude And High Gas Prices

    Boy Writes 'I'm Sorry' To Library For Damaging Book While Falling Asleep Reading

    Boy Writes 'I'm Sorry' To Library For Damaging Book While Falling Asleep Reading
    A young reader looking to atone for tearing a borrowed comic book has won over Toronto library staff — and many others online — with a handwritten apology note.

    Boy Writes 'I'm Sorry' To Library For Damaging Book While Falling Asleep Reading

    Wildfire In B.C.'s Southeast Destroys 30 Homes, Forces Hundreds To Evacuate

    Wildfire In B.C.'s Southeast Destroys 30 Homes, Forces Hundreds To Evacuate
    Residents in southeastern British Columbia are regrouping from an immense and fast-spreading wildfire that has so far wiped out 30 homes and forced hundreds to flee with little more than the clothes on their backs.

    Wildfire In B.C.'s Southeast Destroys 30 Homes, Forces Hundreds To Evacuate