Saudi man crashes car into gates of Mecca’s Grand Mosque


PTI, Oct 31, 2020, 9:05 AM IST

Dubai: A Saudi man in a speeding car crashed into the outer gates of Mecca’s Grand Mosque late Friday night, the country’s state-run news agency reported.

The crash happened around 10:30 pm and saw the man’s car ram through a barrier and keep driving until it hit the gate on the Grand Mosque’s southern side, the Saudi Press Agency said.

Authorities arrested the man inside, who appeared in an “abnormal” condition, the agency said, without elaborating. Police referred them, man, to prosecutors for possible charges, according to the report.

Video on social media corresponded to the news agency’s account, with security forces later pushing the damaged sedan away.

The Grand Mosque houses the cube-shaped Kaaba that observant Muslims pray toward five times a day. Authorities had shut down the mosque amid the coronavirus pandemic but recently reopened it to small crowds of faithful. Footage broadcast on the state-run Quran TV satellite channel showed people inside circling the Kaaba before and after the crash.

The kingdom held a dramatically downsized, symbolic hajj pilgrimage in July due to concerns that it could easily have become a global superspreader event for the virus.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls

Sambhal violence: FIR against SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, SP MLA’s son

Six junior artists of Kannada film ‘Kantara’ injured in accident in Karnataka

MNS at risk of losing recognition, symbol after drawing blank in Maharashtra polls

‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator’ make gravity-defying theatre debuts

BMW hit-and-run case: HC refuses to release accused Mihir Shah on ground of ‘illegal’ arrest

Perth Test, Day 4: Siraj removes Smith as Australia go into lunch at 104 for five

Related Articles More

COP29: India rejects new USD 300 billion climate finance deal

Royal tour of India in offing for King Charles, Queen Camilla: Report

Indian-American leaders applaud PM Modi for inclusive growth in India

COP29: Civil society protests climate finance proposal, calls for ‘no deal’ over ‘bad deal’

Bomb disposal squad tackles ‘security incident’ at UK’s Gatwick Airport

MUST WATCH

Coconut Flower

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar


Latest Additions

Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls

Sambhal violence: FIR against SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, SP MLA’s son

Congress rebel joins Shiv Sena after poll defeat against CM Shinde

Bantwal: Three arrested in Thumbe temple theft case

Bengaluru: BBMP garbage truck driver dies after tree branch falls on him

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.