13 of 24 pilgrims killed in Saudi bus crash were Bangladeshis

Thirteen of the 24 Umrah pilgrims, who were killed in a horrific bus crash in southwest of Saudi Arabia on Monday, were Bangladeshi nationals. Seventeen other Bangladeshis were also injured and five are still missing in the accident.

The Bangladeshi deceased were identified as Shahidul Islam of Senbagh upazila in Noakhali, Mamun Miah, Rasel Miah of Muradnagar in Cumilla, Md Helal of Noakhali, Sabuj Hossain of Lakshmipur, Md Asif, Mohammad Hossain of Cox’s Bazar, Md Imam Hossain Roni of Tongi in Gazipur, Ruku Miah of Chandpur, Sifat Ullah of Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar, Gias Hamid of Cumilla, Mohammad Nazmul and Roni of Jashore.

Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed the information on Tuesday.

A total of 47 passengers were on the bus, of which 35 were from Bangladesh, Md Arifuzzaman, First Secretary, Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah, told the journalists. 

On Monday afternoon (local time), a passenger bus crashed into a bridge, overturned and caught fire in Saudi Arabia.

The accident, which occurred as a result of a brake failure, took place on a road linking Asir province and the city of Abha. The victims were on their way to Mecca to perform Umrah.

The Saudi civil defence and Red Crescent Authority teams rushed to the site of the accident and started the rescue operation.