Documents implicating 40 suspects in the collapse of a massive crane in the Grand Mosque in Mecca have been referred to the public prosecutor for investigation.
Sources told Saudi daily Al Watan that 30 suspects were directors, technicians and project leaders working in the company carrying out the expansion work at the mosque and that the other 10 suspects were from the public sector.
However, the sources said that more names could be added to the list as the investigations continue. The charges will be leveled after the probe is completed, they added.
The prosecutors will now review all the evidence, details and confessions included in the files referred to them.
According to the Saudi daily, preliminary investigations with some of the suspects were opened in the Red Sea city of Jeddah two months ago.
Saudi officials said that 107 worshippers were killed and 238 were injured after the crane collapse in September.
King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz ordered that the families of those killed each be paid one million riyals in compensation. King Salman also ordered one million riyals each to the families of those who suffered permanent injuries. A payout of 500,000 riyals was announced for those who sustained less serious injuries, according to the royal order.
The financial compensation does not rule out the possibility for the victims or their families to file lawsuits.
Injured worshippers who were physically unable to perform pilgrimage last year will be invited for the next pilgrimage as hosts of the king.
Two relatives of each victim will be hosted by King Salman to perform pilgrimage next year, according to the royal order.
By Habib Toumi
