Scores dead in crane accident inside Makkah Sacred Mosque

MAKKAH, Saudi Arabia

At least 87 people have now died in Friday's horrific crane accident inside the Sacred Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, the country’s General Directorate of Civil Defense has confirmed.

Saudi officials 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 deaths have not been officially confirmed yet," he said.

Deputy President Ekrem Keles had previously told Anadolu Agency that 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 the Saudi hospitals treating the injured Turkish nationals," Keles had said, adding that 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 citizens among 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 scene quickly 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.

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