The Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution (PIB) has resumed investigations into the crane accident that occurred inside the Grand Mosque in Makkah just before the last Haj pilgrimage, killing 107 pilgrims and injuring 238 others belonging to different nationalities. "The move aims at closing the investigation before presenting the case in court," said an informed source without giving the findings of the investigation. The source said the defendants included engineers and supervisors as well as the operation manager of the ongoing Haram expansion project. All of them worked for Saudi Binladin Group, which is executing the project. "Investigators have received many leads from the employees on the reason for the fatal accident when they were questioned by the agency about the project management and the operation of cranes," the source said. After completing the investigation the public prosecutor would level charges against everyone found responsible for the accident. They are likely to face several charges including loss of lives and negligence in following safety regulations. Preliminary investigations showed the company had followed safety regulations in the backdrop of a large number of visitors at the mosque during the Haj season, the source said, adding that investigators had inspected potential areas to find out the reason for the tragedy. The investigation was launched against Saudi Binladin Group and its officials on the basis of a directive issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. The King had ordered payment of SR1 million to relatives of the each dead pilgrim as well as for those sustained critical injuries and SR500,000 to other injured victims. The King will host two members of the family of each dead pilgrim to perform Haj in the upcoming season. Pilgrims who could not complete their Haj because of injuries would be able to perform Haj as the King's guests this year. Relatives of the injured were given visit visas to stay with them at Saudi hospitals. A royal court statement said the accident was caused by strong winds while it also pointed that the crane was wrongly placed ignoring safety regulations in the operation manual. Operators had to lower a tower crane's boom when not in use or after use. The company's safety officer did not follow warnings of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment regarding turbulent weather conditions, it was alleged.
