New Delhi: Eleven Indian pilgrims were among the 107 people killed when a crane crashed on the pilgrims in Mecca, the holiest place of Muslims. India's ministry of external affairs (MEA) confirmed the reports of the Indian pilgrims death and said that the "mission is extending all possible assistance to the families of the 11 deceased pilgrims to complete formalities in Mecca."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief at the loss of lives in the incident. "My thoughts and prayers are with families of those who lost their lives in crane crash in Mecca. I wish quick recovery for injured," Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet.
Saudi Arabia promises investigation
Saudi Arabia promised an investigation into the incident. The crane, one of 15 placed around the holiest site in Islam, appears to have been toppled by high winds. During a sudden storm, the crane snapped in half and smashed through the ceiling on the eastern side of the largest mosque in the world.
The Masjid al-Haram, or Grand Mosque, was particularly busy at the time, as Muslims converge on the site ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage at the end of the month. Abdel Aziz Naqoor, who said he works at the mosque, said he saw the crane fall after being hit by the storm. "If it wasn't for the Al-Tawaf bridge the injuries and deaths would have been worse," he said, referring to a covered walkway that surrounds the holy Kaaba and broke the crane's fall. General Suleiman bin Abdullah al-Amro, the head of the civil defence directorate, confirmed that strong winds caused the crane to collapse.
British Prime Minister David Cameron offered his "thoughts and prayers" to the families of those killed. The Foreign Office said it was working with the Saudi authorities as they attempt to identify the victims, whose nationalities remain unknown.
