Saudi Arabia denies suicide bomber report near Grand Mosque

Saudi authorities have rejected reports circulating online about the presence of a suicide bomber at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, saying there was no truth to the claims.

The clarification came after social media posts claimed that a suspected suicide bomber wearing an explosives-laden vest had been spotted moving towards the holy Kaaba and was arrested by security personnel.

Saudi security authorities said a man was detained for harassing passersby and causing fear and panic among people in the holy city.

In a statement posted on X on Friday, the authorities said immediate action was taken against the man and stressed that claims describing him as a suicide bomber were false.

The authorities did not disclose the identity of the detained man or provide further details about the incident.

According to Turkish news agency Anadolu, Saudi authorities reiterated that there was no truth to the reports circulating on social media about a suicide bomber at the Grand Mosque.

The Kaaba is located at the centre of the Grand Mosque and is Islam’s holiest site.