Number of Bangladeshi pilgrims who died in Saudi bus accident climbs to 18

Another six Bangladeshi nationals have been identified among the 22 Umrah pilgrims who died in a fiery bus crash in Saudi Arabia's southwestern Asir province bordering Yemen.

Md Arifuzzaman, first secretary of labour at the Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah, confirmed the names of the latest victims on Wednesday.

They are Khairul Islam, Ruhul Amin, Tushar Majumder, Miraj Hossain, Shakib and Rana Mia.

Earlier, foreign ministry spokesperson Seheli Sabrin said a total of 13 Bangladeshi Umrah pilgrims were identified among the dead.

They are Sifat Ullah from Cox's Bazar's Moheshkhali, Gias Hamid from Cumilla's Debidwar, Mohammad Nazmul from Jashore's Kotwali, Rony from Jashore, and Mohammad Hossain from Cox's Bazar.

Saudi national broadcaster Al Ekhbariya said the bus carrying Umrah pilgrims was heading to Makkah from Khamis Mushait. The accident occurred at around 4 pm in the southwestern Asir province on Monday.

The bus hit a bridge, overturned, and burst into flames, leaving many injured as the vehicle's brakes failed.

A total of 47 passengers were on the bus, of which 34 were from Bangladesh, an official at the consulate said on Tuesday. The consulate received confirmation on the death of eight Bangladeshi passengers on Tuesday.

They are Shahidul Islam and Mohammad Helal from Noakhali, Mamun Mia and Rasel Molla from Cumilla, Sabuj Hossain from Laxmipur, Md Asif from Cox’s Bazar, Md Imam Hossain from Gazipur and Ruk Mia from Chandpur.

The consulate said the authorities confirmed that several of the 16 Bangladeshis injured in the accident were released from hospitals.