A bus carrying pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, burst into flames after a collision on a bridge on Monday March 27, killing 20 people and injuring around 30 others, according to Saudi state television.
The accident, which took place in the southern province of Asir, underlines the constant challenge of the safety of transporting pilgrims to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities in Islam.
It comes during the first week of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, when many Muslims perform the Umrah (minor pilgrimage) pilgrimage, and a few months before the annual hajj pilgrimage.
"According to preliminary information we received, the death toll in this accident reached 20, and the total number of injured was around 29,"
state broadcaster Al-Ekhbariya reported.
The victims are of
"different nationalities"
, according to the chain, which did not give further details.
Al-Ekhbariya released footage showing a reporter standing in front of what appeared to be the charred carcass of a bus.
