87 dead in Mecca crane collapse

The Saudi Arabian government has confirmed 87 people dead after a crane collapsed on the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca.
The incident occurred around 6:00pm following the impact of the thunder storm on one of the cranes being used in the expansion of the Holy Mosque while some worshippers were praying.
As at the time of filing this report, it was not clear whether Nigerians on Holy pilgrimage were among the victims of the accident.

When our Correspondent visited the Mosque after Magrib prayer around 7:00 pm, the scene of the incident had been condoned-off.
An eyewitness Abdullahi Mahmuda told The Nation that, “I was in the Mosque doing (tawaf) circumbulation of the Holy Kaaba. When it started raining I stopped and sat here. All of a sudden, there was a strong thunder and it forced a crane on the people.
“Seriously a lot of people, both white and black were killed in the incident, but I cannot say precisely the number.
“Most of the people killed were those doing ‘tawaf’ on the upper walk ways. Many people were also injured.” he said.

Photo by ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE