The death toll from the collapse of a crane in Makkah has risen to 65, Saudi Arabia’s civil defence authority has said.
Eighty people were injured when the crane fell on the Grand Mosque, the civil defence authority tweeted.
Few other details are available. Images from the scene showed part of a huge red crane had crashed through the roof of the mosque. It’s thought that perhaps the crane was struck by lightening amid a huge storm and strong winds.
Mecca is preparing for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to arrive in the Saudi city from all over the world later this month.
Saudi authorities began a major expansion of the site last year to cope with ever-growing numbers of worshippers.
The crane that collapsed on Friday was part of the construction work taking place at the site.
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