Saudi security authorities have denied reports circulating on social media that a suspected suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest had approached the Holy Kaaba.
In a statement, security authorities said a person had been arrested in the holy capital for allegedly harassing passersby and causing fear and panic among the public. The individual was dealt with immediately, authorities said.
The authorities clarified that there was no truth to the claims circulating on social media regarding the incident, without providing further details about the identity of the arrested person or the action taken against him.
Earlier social media posts had claimed that a suspected suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest had reached the area of the Holy Kaaba before being apprehended by security personnel.
The Grand Mosque in Makkah is Islam’s holiest site, where millions of Muslims perform Hajj, Umrah and other religious rituals. The Kaaba is traditionally believed to have been built by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Prophet Ismail (AS).
The clarification comes amid heightened public attention to security incidents involving Islam’s holy sites. In 2016, a suicide bombing near Masjid-i-Nabawi in Madina killed four people and drew widespread condemnation across the Muslim world. The attack occurred as Muslims were preparing for Eidul Fitr.
Saudi authorities have urged the public to rely on official statements and avoid spreading unverified claims concerning security incidents at holy sites.
