British Prime Minister David Cameron has offered his "thoughts and prayers" to the families of those killed when a giant construction crane collapsed at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

At least 107 people died and 238 were injured in yesterday's disaster, which comes ahead of the start of the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest site, in Saudi Arabia, later this month.

David Cameron tweeted from his Number 10 office account: "My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones at Mecca today."

The UK Foreign Office said it was working with the nation's authorities as they attempt to identify the victims, whose nationalities remain unknown.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: "We are liaising closely with the Saudi authorities following the crane collapse at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and stand ready to provide support to anyone affected."

Source: MENA