Today was not a good day for Mecca, it seems. Not only did heavy rains douse worshippers, not only did lightening strike the Grand Mosque, but a giant construction crane collapsed killing 87 people today, on the 14th anniversary of the Saudi attacks on 9/11.
It is unknown if the various lightening strikes that hit the construction site helped cause the collapse–photos of the strikes were seen on social media today–but whatever caused it 87 are now dead.
According to Saudi Interior Ministry, at least 184 more people were injured in the incident.
The tragedy comes ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage which is due later this month. Millions of Muslims from around the world will converge on the holy city between September 21-26.
Local media reports suggested that the accident occurred due to heavy rains the Kingdom. The governor of the Makkah region, the capital of which is Mecca, Prince Khalid al-Faisal has ordered the launch of an investigation into the causes of the accident.
Photos taken from the scene and posted on social media show bodies lying in blood on the mosque’s floor surrounded by construction rubble and metal parts of the crane.
Well, there you have it. A bad day in Mecca.
