The Saudi Civil Defence agency says severe rain contributed to the collapse of a crane which killed at least 87 people in the Muslim holy city of Mecca.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia say over 180 people were injured when a huge red crane crashed through the roof of the Grand Mosque. Media reports suggest the figure could be as high as 200.
At least 65 people killed, scores wounded when a crane collapsed in the Grand Mosque in Mecca: http://t.co/IzzdDgXlX5 pic.twitter.com/pawUDZytb6— AJ+ (@ajplus) September 11, 2015
The mosque was crowded at the time.
Mecca is preparing to host hundreds of thousands of people for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. In 2014, Saudi authorities began a major expansion of the site.
More than 60 killed in Mecca by crane collapse, reports say: http://t.co/H4cekANRWj pic.twitter.com/SC0rJxCaoW— Slate (@Slate) September 11, 2015
As such the area of the Grand Mosque will be increased by 400,000 square metres in order to accomodate 2.2 million people at a time