87 worshippers were killed and over 200 injured after a crane crashed in the most sacred mosque, Masjidul Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Friday.
The Official Spokesman of the Presidency of the Mosque Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Mansouri said that in the afternoon of today a part of a wench, used in construction works at the Mosque fell due to strong sandstorm, winds and torrential rain storm.
The accident occurred as Saudi Arabia was preparing to welcome 3 million people for the annual pilgrimage [Hajj] that begins in 10 days time.
Saudi officials said emergency vehicles and personnel are at the scene of the deadly accident.
There is concern of safety of the pilgrims with the continuing constructions during the Hajj.
The governor of the Makkah region, the capital of which is Makkah, Khalid al-Faisal has ordered the launch of an investigation into the causes of the accident.
Photos taken from the scene and posted on social media show bodies lying in blood on the mosque’s floor surrounded by construction rubble and metal parts of the crane.