Suicide bid at Mecca Grand Mosque, hero security guard breaks man's fall

A man attempted to take his life by jumping from the upper floors of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, but swift intervention by security personnel averted the fatal outcome, Saudi authorities said on Thursday.

Footage circulating of the incident online shows the man moving toward the edge of the upper level before security officers rushed in to restrain him. During the rescue, one security officer sustained injuries.

In a post on X, the official account of the Emirate of the Makkah Region said the Special Force for the Security of the Grand Mosque immediately initiated action after the man attempted to jump from an upper floor. An officer was injured while preventing the man from hitting the ground; authorities said the injury was limited to fractures.

Confirming the incident, the Haram Security Forces said both the man and the injured officer were promptly transferred to hospital for medical care, and that all required legal procedures were completed. The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior said the Special Force responded swiftly to contain the situation.

According to Khaleej Times, the Chief Imam of the Grand Mosque, Abdur Rahman As Sudais, later addressed the incident, urging pilgrims to respect the sanctity of the holy site, follow regulations and devote themselves to worship. He emphasised that the preservation of life is a core objective of Islamic law, citing the Quranic injunction: “And do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands.”

A similar incident was reported in 2017, when a man died by suicide near the Kaaba, after jumping from the third floor of the Grand Mosque while thousands of pilgrims were performing tawaf.

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