President Jacob Zuma has sent a message of condolences to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following an accident at a mosque in Mecca which left more than 107 people dead and 238 injured.
The tragedy occurred on Friday when a thunderstorm toppled a heavy construction crane at the Grand Mosque — Masjid al-Haram — in Mecca. The crane fell‚ crashing through the ceiling of the mosque‚ the largest in the world surrounding the site of the Kaaba‚ considered Islam’s holiest spot.
In a statement on Saturday‚ the Presidency said President Zuma had‚ on behalf of the government and people of South Africa‚ conveyed a message of condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques‚ King of Saudi Arabia‚ Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud‚ and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia‚ following the accident.
“The South African Government sends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the tragic loss of lives of pilgrims as a result of the crane accident at the Grand Mosque. Our prayers go out to the families and friends of the deceased and we wish those injured in the accident‚ a speedy recovery‚” said President Zuma.
The Presidency added that the South African consulate in Jeddah was monitoring the situation in Mecca following the accident.
“Thus far‚ no reports have been received of any South African citizens affected by the accident‚” it said.
Zuma sends condolences to Saudi Arabia following mosque tragedy
President Jacob Zuma has sent a message of condolences to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following an accident at a mosque in Mecca which left more than 107 people dead and 238 injured.
The tragedy occurred on Friday when a thunderstorm toppled a heavy construction crane at the Grand Mosque — Masjid al-Haram — in Mecca. The crane fell‚ crashing through the ceiling of the mosque‚ the largest in the world surrounding the site of the Kaaba‚ considered Islam’s holiest spot.
In a statement on Saturday‚ the Presidency said President Zuma had‚ on behalf of the government and people of South Africa‚ conveyed a message of condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques‚ King of Saudi Arabia‚ Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud‚ and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia‚ following the accident.
“The South African Government sends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the tragic loss of lives of pilgrims as a result of the crane accident at the Grand Mosque. Our prayers go out to the families and friends of the deceased and we wish those injured in the accident‚ a speedy recovery‚” said President Zuma.
The Presidency added that the South African consulate in Jeddah was monitoring the situation in Mecca following the accident.
“Thus far‚ no reports have been received of any South African citizens affected by the accident‚” it said.
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