Man in Mecca commits suicide, jumps from balcony into crowd (Video)

A man committed suicide just a few meters from the site known as the Kaaba, inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, by jumping from the third floor to the surface, where thousands of pilgrims are performing taraf.

The incident happened late Friday and the moment was recorded on video by those present inside the Masjid al-Haram complex.

Some Saudi media reported that the man died shortly after hitting the ground. He was a 26-year-old French citizen who converted to Islam, a religion that considers suicide an unpardonable sin.

Authorities are investigating the motive for the suicide, and are considering whether there was a security breach.

Earlier, in February 2017, a man tried to kill himself inside the Holy Kaaba compound for Muslims, but was prevented by guards.