Scores dead in crane accident inside Makkah Sacred Mosque

9/12/2015 4:54:07 AM

(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) At least 87 people have now died in Friday'shorrific crane accident inside the Sacred Mosque in MakkahSaudiArabia the country’s General Directorate of Civil Defense has confirmed.

Saudiofficials said emergency vehicles and personnel are at the scene of the deadly accident which also left more than 180 people injured.

The death toll was previously reported as 65.

"We have learned that 19 Turkish people were injured in the accident. None of them is in critical condition"President of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate Mehmet Gormez said.

"There are also reports of two dead according to eye-witnesses but the deathshave not been officially confirmed yet" he said.

Deputy President Ekrem Keles had previously told Anadolu Agencythat at least 17 Turkish people were among the injured adding they were in good condition.

"We have set up an emergency desk and sent interpreters to theSaudi hospitals treating the injured Turkish nationals" Keles had said addingthat he had not yet received any confirmation about any Turkish nationals who may have been killed in the accident.

Muhammet Abdullah Furkan a Turkish doctor who was at the scene of the tragedy said the crane might have collapsed due to a "possible lightning strike".

Asked if he knew of any Turkish citizensamong the dead Furkan said he knew of three people while another eye-witness wishing to remain anonymous claimed he saw two Turkish people killed in the accident.

In Washington the State Department extended the U.S.' "thoughts and condolences" to those affected by the tragedy.

"We know Saudi authorities are on the scenequickly and efficiently trying to deal with the situation" spokesman John Kirby told reporters."Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who were injured and their loved ones."

The Sacred Mosque Islam’s holiest site is especially crowded during this time of the year as pilgrims begin arriving for the Hajj season.

Saudimonarch Salman bin Abdul Aziz had launched five new expansion projects at the mosque in July.

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