Seven Bangladeshis including a child killed as truck hits bus in Saudi Arabia; 15 injured
Seven Bangladeshis, including a child, have been killed in a road accident in the Jizan area of Saudi Arabia. Fifteen others were injured in the incident. The dead and injured were members of several families. Their homes are in Ukhiya, Chakaria and Teknaf in Cox's Bazar.
The accident happened in the early hours of Saturday (November 7) as they were returning from Medina to Jeddah. A truck hit their bus from behind, killing and injuring the passengers.
According to preliminary information, the dead include Ziaur Rahman, his two sons and one daughter, the wife of Elias, and Alam Shah and his one-month-old daughter.
According to eyewitnesses, Ziaur Rahman, Alam Shah and Elias had set out for Jeddah with their family members after visiting the Rawza Sharif of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Medina. On the way, a truck hit their bus hard from behind, killing and injuring the passengers.
The dead and injured worked at the Bangladeshi-owned 'Al Abir Cold Store and Trading Company' in Saudi Arabia. The late Ziaur Rahman was the company's storekeeper, Elias was a forklift driver, and Alam Shah worked as keeper of a store in Mecca.
According to the latest information, the bodies of two of the dead have been kept in the morgue of Al Kholaiz Hospital. The other bodies and the injured have been taken to various hospitals in Saudi Arabia.
After hearing of the accident, the company's chairman, Yusuf Dobhashi, cut short his visit to Thailand and set out for Saudi Arabia, it is learnt.
Meanwhile, the Consul General of Bangladesh in Jeddah said the consulate is in contact with local Saudi authorities to obtain official information about the accident. Necessary assistance has also been assured for the dead and injured.
