Mustafa bin Ibrahim al-Mubarak (Tribunnews/Dany Permana)

The Saudi Arabian ambassador to Indonesia, Mustafa bin Ibrahim al-Mubarak, has announced compensation of 1 million riyal (US$267,000) for each deceased and permanently disabled victim and 500,000 riyal for victims sustaining injuries in the crane accident at Mecca's Grand Mosque on Sept. 11.

"The incident of the collapsing crane has affected around 107 people, who we have deemed syuhada (witnesses to the truth of Islam, or martyrs), may Allah bless them," Al Mubarak told a press conference at the Saudi Arabian embassy in South Jakarta on Friday, as quoted by Antara news agency.

"King Salman has directly ordered an investigation regarding the matter and [it has been concluded] that the incident was a result of operational error without any criminal element."

He added that, in addition to the compensation, the Saudi government would also offer hajj pilgrimage opportunities to two people from each of the victims' families in 2016 as the kingdom's guests of honor and, more immediately, grant special visitor visas to family members of victims who were still being treated in Saudi Arabia.

Up to 11 Indonesian hajj pilgrims died and 42 others were injured as a result of the accident.

According to a report by The Associated Press, an Arabic version of a royal decree from King Salman, published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, said on Tuesday that the Binladin Group was partly to blame for the collapse as it should not have left the crane's arm up while it was not in use.

The news agency's English service did not report the detail, but did say that leaders of the company have been banned from traveling abroad. (kes)(++++)

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