Mecca crane collapse
21°25′21″N 39°49′34″E / 21.4225°N 39.8262°E / 21.4225; 39.8262
A crawler crane collapsed over the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, around 5:10 p.m. on 11 September 2015, killing 111 people and injuring 394 others.[3][4][5] The city was preparing for the Hajj pilgrimage.[6][7] The collapse has been cited as the deadliest crane collapse in history, with the previous most deadly incident being the collapse of a construction crane in New York City in 2008, killing seven people.[8][9]
Following the collapses, the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud, ordered a halt to the awarding of contracts to the Saudi Binladin Group, the primary contractor of construction works in the holy city.[10][11] The incident was found to have resulted from a combination of human error and forceful winds.
DW News cited that in August 2016, Saudi Gazette reported the trial of 14 individuals, with Okaz adding that prosecutors did not file charges against 42 others who were under investigation, including 16 members of the Bin Laden family.[12] Victims of the collapse were of twelve different nationalities, with the greatest contingents of deaths being 25 Bangladeshis and 23 Egyptians. Of the injured, the most represented nationalities were 51 Pakistanis and 42 Indonesians.[13][14][15][16][17][18]
Crane collapse and casualties
Nationality | Killed | Injured | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | 25 | [19] | |
![]() | 23 | [19] | |
![]() | 15 | 51 | [17][19] |
![]() | 11 | 42 | [20] |
![]() | 11 | 32 | [13][19] |
![]() | 11 | 15 | [13][18] |
![]() | 8 | 21 | [21][22] |
![]() | 6 | 10 | [14][19] |
![]() | 6 | [23] | |
![]() | 2 | 3 | [18][24] |
![]() | 1 | [19] | |
![]() | 1 | [19] | |
Total | 111[note 1] | 394[note 1] | [3][4] |
The Saudi Civil Defence Authority confirmed that a crane collapsed through the ceiling of the mosque during strong winds created by a powerful storm. The collapse killed at least 111 people,[25][4] and injured 394 others, trapping many in the debris created by the collapse.[3][5][26][27][28] The incident reportedly occurred shortly before 5:10 p.m. on Friday. The crane fell into the east side of the mosque, with its boom crashing through the roofs of the eastern piazza. One witness reported that the crane fell on the third floor of the Mas'aa (space between Safa and Marwa) at 5:45 p.m. local time.[29]
Aftermath
Factors leading to the collapse
There were strong sand storms in the region over the preceding week. The Saudi Civil Defence Authority said in a statement that an hour before the disaster, Mecca was experiencing medium to heavy rain. There were also reports of winds of more than 40 kilometres per hour (25 mph). However, the exact cause of the crane collapse was not confirmed.[30]
The German-based Liebherr Group crawler crane LR 11350[31][32] involved in the incident was operated by the Saudi Binladin Group, who are the main organization managing the expansion of the Great Mosque and also responsible for a large amount of major building contracts in Mecca and around Saudi Arabia. A report by Liebherr later stated that the boom of the crane was not sufficiently secured by Binladin to sustain the high winds on the day of the collapse.[33]
The Saudi Gazette reported that Khalid bin Faisal, Emir (Governor) of Mecca, had ordered the Binladin Group to relocate cranes from pedestrian areas and to deploy safeguards to prevent pilgrims entering the construction zone, eleven days before the collapse.[34]
Investigation
Following the collapse, the governor of Mecca, Prince Khalid bin Faisal, ordered an investigation into the incident. Search and rescue teams, along with medical workers from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, were sent to the site. After visiting the site two days later, King Salman vowed that the collapse will be investigated and the results of the investigation will be made public.[35][36] Pictures and video circulating on social media showed many dead and wounded amidst severe damage to the building.[5]
After receiving the report on the investigation into the incident, King Salman ordered on 15 September that top officials of the Saudi Binladin Group be banned from traveling outside the kingdom and that the group also be suspended from taking new projects.[10][11] The report pinned the blame for the collapse partially on the construction company. A royal court announcement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said the king was reviewing the report of the Accident Investigation Committee, which suggested negligence on the part of the Saudi Binladin Group, but concluded that it found an "absence of criminal suspicion". The report said "the main reason for the accident is the strong winds while the crane was in a wrong position".[37]
An engineer for the Saudi Binladin Group said that the crane was erected in "an extremely professional way", and the accident was an "act of God".[38] The Liebherr Group responded to the collapse by sending local engineers and engineers from their crane manufacturing plant in Ehingen, Germany to help in the investigation of the collapse and to assist on site.[39] Liebherr Group experts who participated in the investigation of the collapse found no structural flaws in the crane. Their report stated that the crane's 190-meter (620 ft) long boom was not sufficiently secured by its operators so as to withstand the high winds present on the day of the collapse and that use of that crane in those 80–105 kilometres per hour (50–65 mph) winds was well outside the manufacturer's recommended operating parameters.[33]
There have been many major incidents during the Hajj over the years, causing the loss of thousands of lives.[40] To prevent crushes and accommodate more pilgrims each year during the Hajj season, Saudi authorities undertook a major construction project to expand the mosque compound in recent years.[41] At the time of the incident the Saudi authorities were preparing for the hundreds of thousands of people expected to arrive in the city for the Hajj due to begin on 22 September 2015.[5][41]
A source within the mosque's engineering department stated that the crane was removed from the mosque and will not be reconstructed. The source said that, in coordination with the Civil Defence, all of the more than 100 other cranes still present near the mosque were inspected and found to be safe.[4]
Compensation for victims
King Salman ordered 1,000,000 Saudi riyal (US$266,000) be distributed as compensation to the families of those who died in the crane collapse, and that two relatives of each of the deceased are to be the King's guests for Hajj in 2016, adding that a further 1,000,000 riyal will be paid amongst the victims of the collapse who had sustained a permanent disability, and 500,000 riyal (US$133,000) will be paid among victims without lasting injuries.[42][43] King Salman also decreed that these compensation payments will not prevent private legal claims by the injured and families of the deceased.[44]
Trial
In August 2016, Saudi Gazette reported the trial of 14 individuals, with Okaz adding that prosecutors did not file charges against 42 others who were under investigation, including 16 members of the Bin Laden family, according to DW News.[12]
A mere 13 days after the collapse, on 24 September 2015, during one of the busiest days of the Hajj pilgrimage, a stampede at Mina in the outskirts of Mecca killed more than 2,000 other pilgrims, injuring an equal number. More than 400 others were deemed missing.
Reaction
Irfan al-Alawi, co-founder of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, criticised the Saudi authorities, believing that their redevelopment of holy sites was not only damaging history, but putting many pilgrims' lives at risk.[38]
Saudi Hajj minister, Bandar Al Hajjar,[note 2] stated that the Hajj that year would be the last to be affected by reductions in pilgrim quotas due to construction work and is quoted to have said that, "Starting from next Hajj season, the number of pilgrims will increase to 5 million and then to 30 million in the coming five years".[46][47]
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani offered medical staff to assist with casualties.[48] Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said that a Pakistani medical team engaged in providing medical treatment to the injured.[49]
Other leaders around the world offered condolences. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi[50] prayed for "Allah Almighty to grant the souls of the deceased rest in peace and forgiveness and to grant the injured a speedy recovery." Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson stated that he was "deeply saddened" and offered "condolences to the families and friends of the victims".[51] Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his "thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives in the crane crash in Mecca" and wished a "quick recovery" for the injured.[52] Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari urged "all Nigerians to pray for the continued safety of their compatriots who are currently in Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj".[53] Singapore's President Tony Tan extended his "deepest and heartfelt condolences" to the King and people of Saudi Arabia, and stated that "our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families during this difficult time".[54]
South African President Jacob Zuma[55] and Russian President Vladimir Putin[56] both offered their condolences. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow wrote that "it was with heartache that I heard the news that hundreds of people who were on a pilgrimage to Mecca were killed and injured".[57] United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter that his "thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones at Mecca today".[52] United States Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement that the United States stood with Saudi Arabia and "all Muslims around the world in the aftermath of this dreadful incident at one of Islam's holiest sites".[58]
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Wikinews-logo.svg/40px-Wikinews-logo.svg.png)
- At least 107 killed in Mecca crane collapse
- Mecca
- Masjid al-Haram
- Liebherr Group
- Saudi Binladin Group
- 1979 Grand Mosque seizure
- 2006 Mecca hostel collapse
- 2015 Mina stampede
Notes
- ^ a b The total of all deaths reported by nation (120) does not add up total deaths reported by most up-to-date sources (111). Some of those killed may have held multiple citizenship or some references may be incorrect.
- ^ Al Hajjar was removed from his position on 27 September 2015 in the aftermath of the 2015 Mina stampede.[45]
References
- ^ "Mecca crane collapse: Saudi inquiry into Grand Mosque disaster". BBC News. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Karimi, Faith; Ellis, Ralph; Hanna, Jason (12 September 2015). "Crane collapse kills 107 people at mosque in Mecca days before Hajj". CNN. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Batrawy, Aya (13 September 2015). "Pilgrims Traumatized, Asking How Mecca Crane Could Collapse". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Collapsed crane removed from Haram". Saudi Gazette. 17 September 2015. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ a b c d Rawlinson, Kevin; Chulov, Martin (11 September 2015). "Hajj pilgrimage to go ahead despite tragic crane collapse at Mecca's Grand Mosque". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "52 dead in crane accident in Mecca's Grand Mosque: Saudi reports". The Daily Star. 11 September 2015. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Abdelaty, Ali; Hashem, Mostafa; Bayoumy, Yara (11 September 2015). "At least 107 killed by falling crane at Grand Mosque in Mecca". Reuters. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Hope, Bradley; Scheck, Justin (2020). Blood and Oil: Mohammed bin Salman's Ruthless Quest for Global Power. New York, NY: Hachette Books. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-306-84666-3. OCLC 1143647223.
- ^ Hampton, Tudor (15 September 2015). "Supercrane Collapse in Mecca Ranks as Deadliest in Decades". ENR. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Saudi Suspends Binladin Group for Grand Mosque Crane Crash". Emirates 247. 15 September 2015. Archived from the original on 18 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Saudi Arabia king sanctions Binladin Group". Gulf News. 15 September 2015. Archived from the original on 18 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
- ^ a b Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Saudi Arabia tries 14 over Mecca crane collapse | DW | 11.08.2016". DW.COM. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ a b c "2 Indians Among Over 100 Killed in Accident at Mecca's Grand Mosque". NDTV.com. Indo-Asian News Service/All India. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ a b "10 Malaysian pilgrims injured, six unaccounted for in Mecca crane collapse". The Borneo Post. Bernama. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "Crane Collapse kills at least 107 at Meccas grand mosque in Saudi Arabia". Zee News. AFP. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "Crane Jatuh di Masjidil Haram, 1 WNI Meninggal, 20 Terluka" [Crane crashes in the Haram, 1 citizen Dies, 20 Injured]. Tempo Nasional (in Indonesian). 12 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ a b Wasif, Sehrish (11 September 2015). "51 Pakistani pilgrims injured in Makkah crane accident: FO". The Express Tribune. AFP. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ a b c Townsend, Sarah (14 September 2015). "King Salman to make findings of Makkah crane collapse probe public". Arabian Business. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Makkah crane crash report submitted". Al Arabiya. 14 September 2015. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ "Daftar Nama Jemaah Rawat/Wafat Musibah Jatuhnya Crane Di Masjidil Haram 11 September 2015" [Names of Pilgrims Hospitalized/Dead in Calamity of Haram Crane Collapse September 11, 2015] (in Indonesian). Direktorat Jenderal Penyelenggaraan Haji dan Umrah - Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia. 15 September 2015. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "8 Turkish pilgrims die in crane collapse at Grand Mosque". Today's Zaman. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ "Number of casualties of Turkish Haji candidates at the Kaaba accident reach 8…". Presidency of Religious Affairs. 13 September 2015. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ "Six Nigerians among victims of Saudi crane accident: official". Yahoo! News. AFP. 16 September 2015. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ Halkon, Ruth; Webb, Sam (13 September 2015). "Two Brits dead and three injured in Mecca Grand Mosque crane tragedy that killed 107 people". Mirror Online. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ Murphy, Brian; Branigin, William (11 September 2015). "Saudi officials: Crane collapse at Mecca Grand Mosque kills at least 107". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Mosendz, Polly (11 September 2015). "Death Toll From Crane Crash at Mecca's Grand Mosque Surpasses 100". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "Mecca crane collapse: 107 dead at Saudi Arabia's Grand Mosque". BBC News. 11 September 2015. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "Crane collapse in Mecca kills at least 107". Fox News. 11 September 2015. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "Crane collapse kills at least 107 in Mecca Grand Mosque". Al Jazeera. 11 September 2015. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Henderson, Barney (11 September 2015). "Saudi Arabia promises investigation after crane collapse kills 107 in Mecca's Grand Mosque". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Raidt, Bernhard (12 September 2015). "Unfall in Mekka: Kran wurde bei Liebherr in Ehingen gebaut" [Accident in Mecca: crane was built at Liebherr in Ehingen]. Südwest Presse (in German). Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ Wahab, Siraj (15 September 2015). "Crashed crane came from Germany, and not China". Arab News. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ a b Steibabler, Thomas (22 September 2015). "Unglücks-Kran nicht gesichert" [Crane in accident not protected]. Südwest Presse (in German). Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^ "Crane crash: Contractor ignored Emir's earlier warning". Saudi Gazette. 20 September 2015. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "Saudi King vows to find cause of Makkah tragedy". Gulf News. AFP. 13 September 2015. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "King Salman visits crane collapse site in Makkah". Khaleej Times. IANS. 13 September 2015. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Wahab, Siraj (16 September 2015). "Saudi Binladin Group sanctioned over deadly crane crash". Arab News. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Mecca crane crash 'act of god', says engineer; King Salman vows to find cause". The Times of India. AFP. 13 September 2015. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Bambridge, John (16 September 2015). "Liebherr experts investigate Saudi crane collapse". Construction Week Online. Archived from the original on 18 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ Miller, Susan (11 September 2015). "Mecca no stranger to tragedy". USA Today. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ a b "At least 87 dead after crane accident in Masjidul Haram". DAWN. AFP/Reuters. 11 September 2015. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "1m Riyals compensation for Makkah crane crash victims". Khaleej Times. AFP. 16 September 2015. Archived from the original on 17 September 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "یبرای قربانیان ک میلیون ریال سعودی؛ غرامت حادثه سقوط جرثقیل" [One Million Saudi Riyals, Compensation for Victims of Crane Crash]. Shabestan News Agency (in Arabic). 17 September 2015. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "Makkah Grand Mosque Crane Crash: SR1 million compensation for each victim". Emirates 24/7. 15 September 2015. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ Aksu, Fatma (27 September 2015). "Three Saudi officials removed from posts over hajj disaster". Hürriyet Daily News. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ "Riyadh to end Hajj quota cut in 2016". IRNA. 16 September 2015. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ "No cut in pilgrim quota from next Haj". Arab News. 14 September 2015. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ "Iranian President: Islamic Ummah saddened by Mecca crane crash". AhlulBayt News Agency. IRNA. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "Pakistan confirms 6 nationals die in Saudi crane crash". Global Post. Xinhua News Agency. 13 September 2015. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "Sheikh Mohammed offers condolences to Mecca crane collapse victims". The National. 13 September 2015. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ "More than 100 dead after crane crashes into Mecca's Grand Mosque". CBC News. Associated Press/Canadian Press. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Saudis probe Mecca crane collapse that killed 107". Middle East Eye. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ Ejiofor, Clement (12 September 2015). "Buhari On Mecca Crane Collapse, Safety Of Nigerian Pilgrims". NAIJ. Archived from the original on 27 October 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ "President Tony Tan sends condolences over Mecca crane collapse". Today. 13 September 2015. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ Lindeque, Mia (12 September 2015). "Mecca crane collapse: Zuma extends his condolences". EWN Eye Witness News. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ "Putin offers condolences on Mecca tragedy". Russia Beyond the Headlines. Interfax. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ "Patriarch Kirill extends condolences over Mecca crane collapse". Russia Beyond the Headlines. Interfax. 14 September 2015. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ "Hajj Pilgrimage to Proceed After Tragedy at Grand Mosque". Voice of America. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
External links
At least 107 killed in Mecca crane collapse at Wikinews
- Technical Specifications of LR 11350 Crane Involved in Accident (at Liebherr corporate website)
- v
- t
- e
- 1502 Miri ship sinking
- 1695 Capture of the Grand Mughal Fleet
- 1908 SS Sardinia fire
- 1930 SS Asia fire
- 2006 hostel collapse
- 2015 crane collapse