A bolt of lightning lit up the sky over Mecca on Tuesday night. It struck the top of the city’s famous clock tower.
The moment was caught on camera by shocked eyewitnesses. Their footage quickly spread across social media platforms.
Viewers watched as a bright streak of light hit the tower’s peak. It happened on August 25, 2026, during a fierce storm.
The Mecca clock tower lightning strike came as heavy rain battered the holy city. Strong winds also swept through the area that night.
Weather officials had already warned residents about the coming storm. The National Center of Meteorology issued alerts ahead of the bad weather.
Schools in the region were forced to shut their doors. Many switched to online classes to keep students safe.
Meanwhile, pilgrims at the Holy Kaaba faced tough conditions. Videos shared by Al Jazeera and TBS News showed worshippers performing tawaf in the rain.
They walked around the Kaaba despite strong winds and slippery floors. Water had pooled across the marble grounds during the storm.
Still, many pilgrims pressed on with their prayers. Their determination stood out despite the harsh weather.
However, the clock tower survived the lightning strike without any damage. This is because of its advanced Lightning Protection System. The tower was built to handle exactly this kind of extreme weather.
