8 Bangladeshis dead, 18 hurt in Saudi bus crash

GBNEWS24DESK//

At least eight Bangladeshi umrah pilgrims died while 18 others were injured in a bus crash in Saudi Arabia, according to a press release issued by the foreign ministry.

The bus, while transporting the pilgrims to the holy city of Makkah on Monday (local time), hit a bridge in the southwestern province of Asir. It overturned and caught fire, reports local media.

Talking to the Daily Star this evening, Consul General of Bangladesh Consulate Jeddah Muhammad Nazmul Hoque said there were 47 passengers on the bus. Of them, 35 were Bangladeshi migrant workers.

“Twenty-two people were killed in the accident. Of them, three bodies could be identified and they are not Bangladeshis,” he said.

“Bodies were burnt badly. It will take time to identify the deceased,” he added.

“We have been able to locate 18 injured Bangladeshis taking treatment in different hospitals.”

A two-member team was sent to the spot, he added.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministry released two phone numbers that the family members concerned can call to get information. The numbers are +966538643532 and +966553026814.