Fog on Makkah giant clock sparks panic

Fog enveloping the world’s largest clock tower in Makkah for the first time triggered panic among Muslim pilgrims, who called the Civil Defence after mistaking it for fire, a local newspaper reported on Monday.

Civil Defence vehicles rushed to the 440-metre high tower after receiving numerous calls from worried pilgrims in Islam’s holiest shrine saying that the building is engulfed in smoke from a possible fire.

“The civil defence inspected the site thoroughly but found no fire. A spokesman later said the upper part of the tower was hardly visible because of fog,” 'Kabar' online Arabic language paper said.

The skyscraper Makkah clock, which overlooks the holy mosque in the city, began ticking at the start of Ramadan nearly two weeks ago.

Saudi officials say it is the largest and highest clock tower in the world, having four faces measuring 43 metres in diametre.
 

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