Saudi Arabian officials are reporting that at least 65 people were killed today (Sept. 11) when a large construction crane crashed through the roof of the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca. People have been converging at the mosque, the world’s largest, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The crane collapsed in high winds and heavy rain. A video from Al Arabiya showed the severe weather at the site.
Witnesses are posting graphic photos of the scene on social media. Al Arabiya reports that the Saudi civil defense authority’s latest tally of casualties counts 65 killed and 154 injured.