Makkah crane collapse: 'There was utter panic everywhere' - Witness

"It was shocking and there was utter panic everywhere."

That was the picture painted by Astro Oasis reporter, Mohd Shafie Hashim who witnessed the moment the crane collapsed in Masjid al-Haram in Makkah on Friday.

Mohd Shafie, who was on location to film the ‘Khabar Haji’ programme for Astro Oasis, said many of the pilgrims were still unable to come to terms with the tragedy that has so far claimed the lives of 107 people, and injured scores more.

“This is the first time that such an incident happened in the Holy Land. Although massive construction surrounds the Grand Mosque, the Saudi government has taken measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

“The incident seemed to have been caused by a natural phenomenon; Makkah was experiencing severe sandstorm that day, however, nobody expected such a thing to happen,” he said when contacted by Astro AWANI.

Mohd Shafie, who is in the Holy Land for the first time, said although many pilgrims were still traumatised by the tragedy, they have since accepted the event as a test from the Almighty.

“Many accept the incident as Allah testing their faith. For the Malaysian pilgrims whom I’ve spoken to, they said it helps that Tabung Haji and the Saudi authorities were hands on to assist them and control the situation,” he said.

He added that the Malaysian media personnel who are currently on duty there have been advised to accept their fate and continue performing the tasks that have been entrusted to them.