Dozens Dead, At Least 150 Injured in Mecca Crane Collapse

Dozens are dead in Mecca after a crane collapsed on the Grand Mosque in the Islamic holy city, according to Saudi Arabian officials.

The Saudi Arabian Civil Defense Authority tweeted that at least 65 people were killed and 154 people were wounded, later increasing the death toll to 87. The Associated Press reported that the incident occurred during preparations for the Hajj pilgrimage, a time when Muslims from around the world gather in the city.

Some have speculated that lightning may have struck the crane, causing it to collapse, but those reports are not confirmed. Pictures shared on Twitter show a chaotic scene in and around the mosque (WARNING: SOME GRAPHIC IMAGERY BELOW):

62 dead as crane crashes into #Mecca 's Grand Mosque: #SaudiArabia | http://t.co/b0MEXm2eFu pic.twitter.com/i1Divn40L8

— Deccan Herald (@TheDeccanHerald) September 11, 2015

Crane collapsed in Haram Sharif, #Makkah, many pilgrims #shaheed and injured.😢😢 #Mecca #Hajj2015 #Hajj pic.twitter.com/hEikpUULsx

— Aleena علینہ (@AnmolAleena) September 11, 2015

Very sad news from #Mecca – dozens dead&injured after crane collapsed in grand mosque. pics via diff news outlets FB) pic.twitter.com/nZQrsRbPUW

— shaimaa khalil BBC (@Shaimaakhalil) September 11, 2015

#KSA: Many casualties after crane toppled into the crowd in Masjid al-Haram, #Mecca. pic.twitter.com/52ujIzdOkI

— Sakir Khader (@sakirkhader) September 11, 2015

Watch raw footage just as the crane was collapsing, posted to YouTube:

[Featured image via Shutterstock]

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