Number of Egyptians injured in Mecca disaster rises to 23: Health official

Ahram Online , Saturday 12 Sep 2015

At least 107 pilgrims of different nationalities were killed when a crane fell over in Mecca's Grand Mosque

Mecca
Saudi emergency crew gather after a construction crane crashed in the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia September 11, 2015 (Reuters)

At least 20 Egyptians were injured on Friday when a crane collapsed in Mecca’s Grand Mosque, an Egyptian health ministry spokesman told MENA news agency, revising the ministry's earlier estimate of 12 Egyptians injured.

At least 107 pilgrims of different nationalities were killed in the accident in Saudi Arabia, while 238 others were injured.

The Egyptian health ministry said in an earlier statement that it is following the situation closely with Egypt’s Hajj Delegation and the Saudi health authorities.

The crane, which was being used in construction work to expand the mosque, is likely to have fallen over due to bad weather, according to preliminary reports.

The accident came just weeks before the annual hajj pilgrimage, when Muslim pilgrims gather in Mecca.

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