19 Egyptian pilgrims killed in bus crash
19 Egyptian pilgrims killed in bus crash
March 20, 2016 | 12:15 AM
Emergency workers stand by the side of a bus which overturned on the Makkah-Madinah road on Saturday. — Photo courtesy: Al-Ahram online
March 20, 2016 | 12:15 AM
Last Updated: March 20, 2016 | 12:15 AM
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JEDDAH — Nineteen Egyptian Umrah pilgrims died and 25 others were injured in a bus crash between Makkah and Madinah on Saturday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced in an official statement.
The bus overturned while transporting 44 Egyptians. The identities of eight of the dead bodies are unknown, said Hisham Al-Naqeeb, deputy foreign minister for Egyptians abroad.
Saudi authorities are running fingerprint tests on eight of the victims whose identities remain unknown.
“The injured were taken to different hospitals across Madinah with the help of the Saudi Red Crescent,” he added.
According to Al-Naqeeb, the ministry is following up on developments closely, and a delegation from the consulate went to the location of the crash to undertake the required procedures.
Egyptian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Hesham El-Naqib told the Middle East News Agency (MENA) that the consulate in Jeddah is closely monitoring the situation.
