Mecca - The largest mosque in the world Mecca collapses during lightning storm
Carnage in Mecca: At least 101 people killed after Bin Laden firm crane collapses on Grand Mosque during freak lightning storm
Carnage in Mecca: At least 101 people killed after Bin Laden firm crane collapses on Grand Mosque during freak lightning storm
Dramatic footage shows the moment the crane toppled in heavy rain, with another video capturing the chaos and confusion inside the building as people run for cover after the impact. Photos posted on social media shows the polished tiled floor of the mosque covered in rubble, bodies and pools of blood, and people fleeing the area bleeding and covered in soot. Another picture taken before the disaster shows the crane being struck by a bolt of lightning and authorities are in little doubt extreme weather was to blame.
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| A injured man wrapped into a waterproof lies on the ground amid chaotic scenes in Mecca this evenings |
The tragic incident in Saudi Arabia occurred shortly before the 6:30pm Friday evening prayer session - one of the busiest times of the week - causing devastation to what is the largest mosque in the world. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims are gathering at the holy site from all over the world for the annual hajj pilgrimage set to begin later this month. A massive project is currently underway to increase the area of the mosque by 4.3million sq ft - so that it can accommodate up to 2.2 million people at once. The fatal crane is thought to belong to a German company operated by the Bin Laden family's consortium.
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