Mecca crane ‘could not withstand intense winds’
Crane that fell at Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia, killing at least 107 people, was reportedly fixed to the ground with four 1000-tonne foundations
The crane that fell at the Grand Mosque in Mecca could not withstand the “intense wind”, despite being fixed to the ground with four 1000-tonne foundations, Saudi Arabian news outlets report.
At least 107 people were killed and scores injured when the structure came crashing to the ground last Friday.
It fell after one of its arms broke due to strong winds, unnamed sources familiar with the Grand Mosque Expansion Project told the Saudi Arabia-based Arab News.
“The intense wind power created increasing load on the crane, causing the accident. Now, the problem is to dismantle the crane, which is still hanging midair,” the source was quoted as saying.
READ MORE: Crane collapse kills more than 100 at Mecca Grand Mosque
READ MORE: Mecca crane collapse – Saudi king promises public investigation
General Suleiman al-Amr, director general of the Civil Defence Authority, was earlier quoted as saying that the weather was to blame for the disaster.
“Heavy rain and strong winds of unusually high speed led to the uprooting of trees, the fall of panels and the collapse of the crane,” he said.
The deadly incident has put a spotlight on construction health and safety standards in Saudi Arabia. The Mecca project contractor has been told to ensure safety of all the other cranes at the site, it was reported.
King Salman, on a visit to the site the day after the tragedy, pledged to open an investigation into the causes.
At least 230 people are said to have been injured in the crane collapse. They included Iranian, Turkish, Afghan, Egyptian and Pakistani nationals, state news agency SPA said.
The annual hajj pilgrimage is due to take place later this month, with millions of Muslims from around the world coming to Mecca, which is home to the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site. Officials have said hajj will go ahead this year despite the crane collapse tragedy.
Last year, Saudi Arabian authorities reduced the number of pilgrims allowed to perform hajj amid ongoing construction work taking place to enlarge the Grand Mosque.
READ MORE: Crane collapse kills more than 100 at Mecca Grand Mosque
READ MORE: Mecca crane collapse – Saudi king promises public investigation
