Tragic bus accident in Asir, Saudi Arabia; 20 dead & over 20 injured.
According to reports in Saudi media, a fiery disaster Bus Accident happened on March 27 as the pilgrims were making their way between the cities of Abha and Muhayil Asir.
Emergency workers, members of the Red Crescent, and other local officials flocked to the scene of the collision, and nearby roads were shut down for traffic. According to preliminary investigations, the passenger coach had a brake failure while it was descending a bridge, causing it to crash into a barrier at the bottom of the bridge and catch fire.
Officials have not yet revealed the identities of all of the deceased passengers, who were of various nationalities.
At least 20 Umrah pilgrims were killed and 29 injured in a horrific bus crash southwest of Saudi Arabia, local media reported. pic.twitter.com/RdjaABNfac
— PressTV Extra (@PresstvExtra) March 27, 2023
Videos that are making the rounds on the internet depict the arrival of emergency personnel at the scene of the collision, where the burned-out coach had turned turtle.
The terrible tragedy took place in Saudi Arabia’s busy Ramadan first week, when a large influx of pilgrims is arriving from all over the world.
Transporting sizable crowds of pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia’s holy sites is a dangerous task, particularly during the busy season when roads can become chaotic with coaches creating never-ending traffic jams.