At least 20 people died and another 30 more were injured in Saudi Arabia after a bus accident carrying pilgrims for Umrah – a type of Islamic pilgrimage that takes place within the country -, on Aqabat Shaar Road, in the Asir region, in the southwest.
The accident took place on Monday afternoon after a brake failure on the bus caused it to crash into a bridge, according to state broadcaster Al-Ekhbariya. After the crash, the vehicle overturned and caught fire, trapping the passengers inside.
The accident occurred during the first week of Ramadan, when worshipers fast from dawn to dusk. Many people travel to enjoy nightly parties with family and friends during the Muslim holy month.
Religious pilgrimages are a crucial part of the tourism sector, which Saudi leaders rely on to diversify their fossil fuel-dependent economy.
Civil Defense and Red Crescent teams moved to several hospitals in the Asir region. The victims are of “different nationalities”, according to Al-Ekhbariya, who did not give further details.
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