Man attempts suicide at Grand Mosque in Makkah, alert security guard breaks fall

A man attempted suicide as he jumped from the upper level of the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Thursday, prompting an immediate response from security personnel stationed at the holy site.

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. As the man jumped, the security officer broke his fall by trying to catch him and 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.

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, according to a report by India Today.

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.”