Saudi Gazette report

ABHA — The death toll in the horrific traffic accident on Monday at Aqaba Shaar in the southern Asir region rose to 21.

The health authorities in Asir started collecting DNA samples from the charred corpses to identify the remains of the deceased victims.

All the dead bodies were taken to the morgue of Mahayil Asir Hospital, while the pilgrims who sustained injuries were transferred to the Asir Central Hospital, Mahayil Hospital, and Abha Private Hospital.

Mahayil Governor Muhammad Al-Qarqah, accompanied by Mahayil Police Director Brig. Gen. Mubarak Al-Qahtani, visited the injured and reassured them, wishing for their speedy recovery.

This was in line with the direction and follow-up of the Emir of Asir Prince Turki Bin Talal.

Al-Qarqah directed the hospital authorities to give utmost care and the best possible treatment for the injured.

He also visited the morgue and met the forensic team, which is making great efforts to complete the identification of the bodies since most of the bodies are charred without any possibility for identification.

A total of 21 Umrah pilgrims were killed and 29 others injured when a bus, carrying the pilgrims, overturned and caught fire at Aqaba Shaar on 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.