Mahama consoles victims of Mecca crane accident

Ghana’s President John Mahama has consoled families of the victims of the crane accident that killed over 100 people in the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

The crane crashed into the Grand Mosque as it was full of worshipers, almost two weeks before the Hajj pilgrimage.

Officials say strong winds and heavy rains caused the crane to fall.

No Ghanaian was affected in the tragedy.

In a tweet Saturday, the Ghanaian President described the development as sad.

Sad tragedy in Mecca. Wishing the injured speedy recovery and May Allah console the families of the deceased.

— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) September 12, 2015

The victims were said to include worshippers from Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Egypt and Pakistan.

The Grand Mosque, known as the Masjid al-Haram, is the largest mosque in the world and surrounds Islam's holiest place, the Kaaba.

At least 230 people were injured in the incident on Friday. It is unclear how many people were hurt by the collapse or the stampede that followed it.