A massive swarm of locusts has plagued Mecca last week, as officials struggle to remove the infestation at Islam’s holiest site. Shocking footage posted on social media showed how the locust swarms covered the Mosque in Saudi Arabia. The Makkah Municipality confirmed the phenomenon which residents claim has never been seen before.
Local resident Abdulwhab Soror, 64, said:
"On Saturday night I was praying at the Holy Mosque and the insects were everywhere, the mosque was drawing them in, not only in the yards, but even around the Kabba. I’ve been living in Makkah my whole life, I’ve never witnessed something like this before."
Dr. Judas, manager and scientific adviser of terrestrial biodiversity at the WWF and Emirates Nature, said that this was a first.
Videos posted to social media showed the insects swarming around cleaners and worshipers in the city’s Grand Mosque, where millions of Muslim pilgrims congregate every year.
Officials said: “Specialized teams have been directed to work in the fight to eliminate these insects.
“We have harnessed all efforts available to speed up the eradication of the insects in the interest of the safety and comfort of guests of God’s house.”
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