World
Watch: Mecca’s famous clock tower hit with lightning strike as storm rages on
A video that has gone viral online showed the moment Saudi Arabia’s famous Clock Tower – overlooking the Kaaba in Mecca – was hit by lightning.
Photographer Youssef Bajjash captured the moment the thick streak hit the world’s largest clock tower, lighting up the entire city.
For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
مشهد مهيب لأمطار وصواعق رعدية تضرب #برج_الساعة وتضيء سماء #مكة_المكرمة pic.twitter.com/1F8x5IwBGu
— العربية السعودية (@AlArabiya_KSA) August 22, 2023
Speaking to Al Arabiya, Bajjash said: “As soon as the clouds began forming in Mecca, I went up to a spot to capture the flash of lightning.”
“I was able to capture the moment the lightning hit the Mecca Clock Tower which resulted in this majestic view.”
A post shared by Youssef Bajjash يوسف بجّاش (@youssef_bajjash)
The city of Mecca has witnessed heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, with the National Center of Meteorology sounding the alert level to red – the highest.
Al Arabiya also shared videos taken by witnesses of cleaners in the courtyards of the Holy Kaaba struggling to stand their ground as heavy winds blew them away.
Watch: Janitors are blown away by strong winds through the courtyards of the Grand Mosque in #Mecca.#SaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/ODYdNZ8TDu
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) August 23, 2023
Other videos shared online also showed flooded streets and cars around different neighborhoods in Mecca.
Read more:
Five Jordanian family members killed in Saudi Arabia crash after Umrah
Women’s football in Saudi Arabia ‘breaking records,’ says first female VP of SAFF
China’s foreign minister highlights Middle East diplomatic reconciliation efforts