Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — Two Omani Umrah pilgrims were died and 18 others injured in a bus accident near Taif while on their way to Makkah on Wednesday evening. The bus, carrying the pilgrims, collided with a truck on Riyadh – Taif Expressway.

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority in the Makkah region said that it received information about the accident on the Riyadh-Taif highway after the Nasayef Bridge towards Taif. Immediately 11 emergency teams rushed to the scene with ambulances and carried out rescue mission. Two pilgrims died on the spot while 18 pilgrims, who sustained moderate to serious injuries, were taken to hospital.

Meanwhile, the embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Riyadh confirmed that coordination is currently underway by the Omani Consulate General in Jeddah and the concerned Saudi authorities to quickly finish the procedures to repatriate the bodies of the deceased pilgrims to Oman, as well as to ensure the best treatment and medical care for the injured.

The embassy said in a statement that it followed up on, with great concern, the tragic accident that happened to the Omani pilgrims’ bus while it was heading to Makkah, resulting in the death of two Omani citizens, and the injury of 18 others. The embassy offered its sincere condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased pilgrims, and hoped for a speedy recovery of the injured.