Okaz / Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — Large segments of the giant crane that killed about 111 people and injured more than 285 when it collapsed in the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Sept. 11 have been shifted outside the Grand Mosque. Informed sources said the crane was dismantled and shifted to a safe place so as not to obstruct the movement of pilgrims and visitors. However, the cement base on which the crane was erected is still in its place. The sources said large parts of the crane, which were dismantled and shifted, were covering parts of the Mataf (the circumambulation area) and were resting on the upper part of the Masa (were pilgrims walk seven times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwah). They said the large parts were cut into small pieces which could easily be removed. The sources said the damaged areas in the Grand Mosque, especially the Masa, have been completely repaired. The German-made Liebherr Group crawler crane LR 11350 involved in the incident was operated by the Saudi Binladin Group, which was heading the expansion of the Grand Mosque. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman ordered that SR1million be paid as compensation to the families of each of those who died in the crane collapse and also to each of those who suffered permanent disability, and SR500,000 to each of the injured. King Salman also decreed that these compensation payments will not prevent private legal claims by the injured and families of the deceased. The King also sanctioned the Saudi Binladin Group after an investigative committee concluded that the company "was in part responsible" for the tragedy. Investigators found that the crane was allegedly "in a wrong position" when the high winds struck, as its main arm should have been lowered. The firm's executives have been forbidden from leaving the Kingdom pending the completion of legal action, and until the case is closed, the company will also be excluded from new public projects.
