02.03.2023

Final ruling in Mecca crane collapse

The Criminal Court of Appeal in Mecca, Saudi Arabia has found the Saudi Binladin Group guilty of negligence and safety breaches, relating to the overturn of its 1,350 tonne crawler crane, the boom of which came down on the Grand Mosque in Mecca during strong winds in September 2015, killing 111 people, mostly pilgrims attending the annual Haj, while injuring more than 390 others.

The court has fined the company 20 million riyals ($5.3 million). It also said that the company was not required to pay blood money to relatives of those who died. Seven individuals were also found guilty, three were sentenced to six months in prison and fined up to 30,000 riyals ($8,000) while four were jailed for three months with 15,000 riyal ($4,000) fines. The trial followed a ruling by Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court last year that demanded a new trial, after an appeals court had cleared the company of responsibility.
See: Retrial for fatal mecca crane collapse