A “mentally ill” Saudi national tried to set himself on fire beside the Kaaba inside Mecca’s Grand Mosque, the Islam’s holiest site, but his attempt was foiled by alert pilgrims and security forces, police said on Tuesday.
The man wearing Umrah garb, identified as a Saudi national in his 40s, was dousing himself in gasoline when he was caught, police spokesman Major Sameh al-Salmi said.
“He was held before he went on with his dramatic self-immolation act and his behaviour indicates that he is mentally ill. All the necessary measures will be taken,” Saudi news site Sabq quoted the spokesman as saying.