Dubai: A winch crane toppled over onto a construction area in the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Social media
reports suggest hundreds of pilgrims performing Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) had a narrow escape.
The crane operator was injured in the incident that occurred late afternoon on Sunday near Gate 160 in the third expansion area, eyewitnesses said.
The general presidency for the Masjid Haram in Makkah however insisted that, there were no worshippers or anyone performing prayers in the incident area.
photo) The crane toppled over due to it being overloaded, the presidency added in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
During Ramadan, the most sacred month for Muslims, the Grand Mosque in Makkah is among the most crowded areas in the world with tens of thousands of Muslims performing Umrah or praying there.
Social media erupted with debate about the safety of pilgrims with some saying safety measures remain inadequate.
In September 2015, close to 400 were killed after a crane collapsed on the Grand Mosque, just days before the Hajj.
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