Saudi Arabia reviews construction safety after Grand Mosque crane collapse

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabian authorities are examining safety standards of construction equipment at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, an official said on Saturday, the day after a huge crane collapsed there, killing 107 people.

“The contractor in charge has been asked to ensure safety standards in all cranes at the site under the supervision of a specialized team,” said Hesham al-Faleh, the head of governmental agency for Mecca development.

Authorities said on Friday that the crane had crashed in a courtyard outside the mosque due to a severe rainstorm.

They said at least 107 people were killed and 238 wounded in the incident, which occurred 10 days before the annual Haj pilgrimage season.

There was no official word on the nationalities of the victims. However, Egypt said on Saturday that two of its pilgrims died due to the injuries they had sustained in the crane fall. Pakistan said 47 of the people injured in the incident were Pakistani.

More than 900,000 pilgrims have already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Haj rituals due to begin on Sept. 21, according to official figures released on Saturday. More than 1 million pilgrims are expected.

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