The death toll of Bangladeshi pilgrims killed in an accident in southwestern Saudi Arabia on Monday has risen to 18, said a Foreign Ministry official on Wednesday.
The accident left a total of 24 Umrah pilgrims dead and 23 others injured.
Sixteen of the injured are Bangladeshis, who are being treated at different hospitals.
The deceased were identified as Shahidul Islam, son of Shariat Ulla in Senbagh from Noakhali district, Mamun Mia, son of Abdul Awal and Russel Molla of Muradnagar in Cumilla district, Mohammad Helal of Noakhali district, Sabuj Hossain of Laxmipur district, Md Asif and Shafatul Islam of Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar district, Md Imam Hossain Rony, son of Abdul Latif in Gazipur district, Ruk Mia, son of Kalu Mia of Chandpur district, Gias Hamid of Debidwar in Cumilla district, Mohammad Nazrul Islam, son of Kawsar Mia and Rony, son of Iskandar of Jashore district and Mohammad Hossain of Cox’s Bazar district, Ruhul Amin, Khairul Islam, Tushar Mazumder, Miraz Hossain, Sakib, son of Abdul Awal and Rana Mia.
The bus was carrying 47 omrah hajj pilgrims to Makkah and among them thirty-five passengers were Bangladeshi nationals.
The accident occurred in Saudi Arabia’s Asir province - around 650 km away from Jeddah - at around 4:00 PM on Monday.
According to media reports, the bus collided with a bridge following a brake failure, overturned and burst into flames.
Hospital authorities said that it is very difficult to determine the nationality due to the burning and disfiguring of the bodies.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said the number of Bangladeshi nationals who died in the crash could rise as many of the wounded -- who are receiving medical treatment in different hospitals across the country -- are in critical condition.
He hoped that the bodies of the Bangladeshi nationals would be returned as soon as possible.
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