Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed deep shock and sorrow at a horrific bus crash that had killed around 24 Umrah pilgrims and injured around 23 people in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia on Monday.
But it was not clear how many Bangladeshis were among the deceased. Authorities said they were trying to figure that out.
In a condolence message, she prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed souls and the quick recovery of the injured.
The bus was carrying pilgrims to the holy city of Makkah. Reportedly, many of the passengers were Bangladeshis.
The accident occurred at about 4pm at Agabat Shaar in Asir province.
The prime minister asked foreign ministry officials and Saudi mission personnel to take necessary actions for recovering the bodies of the deceased Bangladeshis and ensure proper treatment for the injured.
According to a preliminary report, due to a malfunction of the brake system, the driver lost control of the bus and collided with a car, rolled over, and caught fire.
The passengers could not get off the bus and around 24 of them were killed on the spot.
