Saudis 'foil suicide attack' on Mecca's Grand Mosque Published duration 23 June 2017 Related Topics Ramadan

image copyright Reuters image caption The building collapsed after a suicide bomber blew himself up, the Saudi interior ministry said

Saudi Arabia says it has foiled a "terrorist action" against the Grand Mosque in Mecca - Islam's holiest site.

A suicide bomber blew himself up when security forces surrounded the building he was in, the interior ministry says.

The building collapsed, injuring 11 people, including police officers. Five other suspected militants have been taken into custody, officials say.

Millions of Muslims from around the world have gathered in Mecca for the end of Ramadan.

Saudi officials released no further details about the foiled attack.

image copyright AFP/Getty Images image caption Muslim worshippers pray at the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca

Saudi Arabia has in recent years seen a series of deadly attacks, many of which were claimed by so-called Islamic State.

Most assaults have targeted the country's Shia minority and security forces.

In July 2016, four security officers were killed in a suicide attack near the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.