JEDDAH: Charges and a trial are expected soon over last year’s crane collapse in Makkah that killed 111 pilgrims and injured 238 people just days before the start of the annual Haj pilgrimage.
The Bureau of Investigation (BIP) and Prosecution in Makkah has handed over its findings to Makkah’s criminal court for judicial review. Details of the investigation have not been made public.
The crane collapsed amid unusually strong winds on Sept. 11, piercing through parts of the roof of the Grand Mosque and bringing down slabs of concrete on worshippers.
After a series of investigations that lasted eight months, the bureau passed the case to the Criminal Court. It called a number of defendants and recorded their testimonies.
Investigations were conducted in complete confidentiality. Defendants, including engineers, residents and officials working in the two government agencies in Makkah, were referred to court.
They admitted their role in the project, either direct or as supervisors. The defendants, however, insisted that they followed safety procedures in all major projects in the holy city.
The case has been under intensive review by officials of the BIP in Makkah and the main center in Riyadh.
The defendants’ statements included technical explanations about work on large projects, senior engineers’ and specialists’ accounts on the use of large cranes at construction projects, and other matters related to work on expansion while surrounded by a very high number of people throughout the year.
The commission of inquiry said the incident happened because of the strong winds that hit the crane while it was hoisted, a position contrary to the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
Dozens of cranes surround Makkah’s Grand Mosque, part of a massive construction effort headed by the Saudi Binladin Group. The Binladin family runs major building projects.
It’s still unclear who will be charged and how many facing trial will include government officials and executives and engineers from the Binladin Group.
After the incident, the construction giant was blamed and it was alleged that the crane’s arm should not have been left up when it was not in use. Several company executives were also banned from traveling abroad.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman had ordered SR1 million to be paid to the relatives of those killed, and the same amount to those permanently injured. Those with lesser injuries were to receive half that amount.
Makkah crane collapse: Case goes to Criminal Court after 8-month probe
Makkah crane collapse: Case goes to Criminal Court after 8-month probe
Heroic effort by security personnel at the Grand Mosque saves man’s life
- Saudi interior minister thanks and praises security guard for his actions
- Suicide attempt at the Grand Mosque in Makkah foiled after guard intervenes to prevent fatal fall
RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of the Interior, on Friday reached out to the security guard injured at the Grand Mosque in Makkah while saving a man trying to commit suicide, and praised his bravery.
The heroic effort by the security guard on duty at the Masjid Al Haram saved the life of a man who attempted suicide by jumping from the top floor of the Grand Mosque.
A swift intervention by the security guard averted the fatal fall, the Saudi authorities said on Thursday.
In a post on X, the official account of the Emarah, Makkah Region, said: “The special force for the security of the Grand Mosque has promptly initiated proceedings in a case where a person jumped from an upper level of the Grand Mosque, and a security man was injured while attempting to prevent him from hitting the ground at the time of his fall.”
The interior minister personally contacted soldier Rayan bin Saeed bin Yahya Al-Ahmad to inquire about his recovery after he suffered injuries in the line of duty at the Grand Mosque.
Al-Ahmad sustained multiple injuries while trying to break the man’s fall and prevent him hitting the ground. Medical teams quickly reached the site and after preliminary check-ups rushed both men to hospital for treatment.
The minister commended Al-Ahmad’s bravery, commitment, and heightened awareness during the incident, qualities that demonstrate his dedication to his security mission.
The interior minister told the officer that his response exemplifies the high principles security forces uphold while serving the religion and the country.
The minister characterized the intervention as “far more than routine duty” — describing it as a selfless humanitarian act embodying supreme sacrifice and reflecting the exceptional preparedness and professional capability required to manage critical situations at Islam’s holiest site.
The minister highlighted the unwavering support and care security personnel receive from the Saudi leadership in appreciation of their contributions and sacrifices in safeguarding the Grand Mosque and the pilgrims.
This backing, he noted, provides essential encouragement for maintaining distinguished performance in security operations.
Prince Abdulaziz concluded the call by praying for the officer’s swift recovery and safe return to duty.
As social media filled with the heroic story, Saeed Al-Qahtani, a social media user, praised the life-saving attempt saying: “Is it a military vigilance or a human spirit inhabiting that uniform? Between one heartbeat and the next, and in the heart of reassurance, the security man rescues a desperate soul; transforming the disaster into a heroic rescue story and a smart reading of the features of breakdown before it’s too late. You are not a guardian of a place, you are a guardian of lives.”
