Deadly bus crash in KSA: 24 dead, 23 hurt

The bus was carrying 35 Bangladeshis

At least 24 people died and 23 others were injured in a bus accident on Monday in Saudi Arabia, authorities said on Tuesday.

The bus was carrying 47 omrah hajj pilgrims to Makkah and among them thirty-five passengers were Bangladeshi nationals, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

The accident occurred in Saudi Arabia’s Asir province - around 650 km away from Jeddah -  at around 4:00 PM on Monday.

According to media reports, the bus collided with a bridge following a brake failure, overturned and burst into flames.

Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah said they were yet to determine the exact number of Bangladeshis died in the accident.

Hospital authorities said that it is very difficult to determine the nationality due to the burning and disfiguring of the bodies.

Contacted, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin said: “We have so far identified 18 Bangladeshi nationals receiving medical treatments at different hospitals.”

A team of the Consulate was sent to find out detailed information about Bangladeshis involved in the accident, according to a press release sent from Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a list comprising the identities of eight Bangladeshi nationals who remained missing since the crash took place. The list includes: Shahidul Islam, son of Shariat Ullah of Noakhali’s Senbagh, Mamun Mia, son of Abul Awal of Cumilla’s Muradnagar, Md. Helal of Noakhali, Sabuj Hossain of Laxmipur, Rasel Mollah of Cumilla’s Muradnagar, Md Asif from Cox’s Bazar’s Maheshkhali, Md Imam Hossain Roni of Dhaka’s Tongi, Koku Mia, son of Kalu Mia of Chandpur, reports UNB.