MAKKAH: Saudi authorities have denied reports circulating on social media that a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest was arrested at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, confirming that the actual incident involved a person who was harassing passersby and causing fear and panic.
According to Saudi security authorities, a person was arrested in the Holy Capital after causing distress among people and harassing passersby. Security personnel dealt with the individual immediately, and necessary legal procedures were initiated before the case was referred to the Public Prosecution.
The authorities specifically rejected claims circulating online about the incident, stressing that there was no truth to reports that a suicide bomber had been apprehended at the Grand Mosque.
The clarification came after videos and social media posts circulated claiming that a man wearing an explosive vest had approached the Kaaba before being stopped by security personnel. Saudi authorities urged the public to obtain information from official sources rather than relying on unverified reports.
Reports also indicated that some of the footage being circulated was old and unrelated to the latest incident, further contributing to the spread of misleading claims online.