Okaz/Saudi Gazette

ABHA — At least 20 Umrah pilgrims were killed and 29 others injured when a bus carrying the pilgrims overturned and caught fire at Aqaba Shaar in the southern Asir region Monday afternoon.

The accident took place on a road at Aqaba Shaar that links Abha city with Mahayil Asir governorate.

The passenger bus lost control following a brake failure and crashed into a bridge, overturned, and caught fire. The victims were on their way to Makkah to perform Umrah.

Civil Defense and Saudi Red Crescent teams as well as the security authorities rushed to the scene after receiving information about the accident and started rescue operations.

Traffic movement was obstructed along the road for several hours following the accident. The bodies of the deceased pilgrims as well as the injured were taken to a number of hospitals in the region.