3 Nigerian pilgrims, over 200 others injured; 107 dead in Saudi Grand Mosque crash
Three Nigerians have been confirmed injured in the crane crash in Mecca’s Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia.
The accident happened while pilgrims were praying on Friday. There were at least 800,000 people at the venue when the crane came crashing.
At least 107 people died in the accident with over 200 sustaining varying degrees of injury.
The Saudi government is investigating the tragic incident which happened during a stormy weather.
Reports say a lightening strike was responsible for the crash.
Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Mallam Abdullahi Mukhtar, said Nigerian pilgrims have been advised not to go near the mosque until further notice.
Mukhtar disclosed the number of Nigerians injured in the tragedy but declined identifying them.
He said two of the Nigerians were from Kaduna and one from Gombe.
“On the commission’s part, we have advised the various states pilgrims’ board not to allow their pilgrims to go close to the Grand Mosque for now.
“They have adhered strictly to our directive and it is yielding positive results,’’ he said.
Mukhtar said 53,800 Nigerian pilgrims had so far been transported to Saudi Arabia as at Saturday.
He said more would be transported to the Islamic Holy Land before the deadline of September 18.
This year’s hajj pilgrimage is expected to start on September 21.
An unnamed Saudi official reportedly told the press the pilgrimage will go on despite the Friday’s tragedy.
“It definitely will not affect the hajj this season and the affected part will probably be fixed in a few days,” said the official.
“Hajj will go on, for sure.”
