Identities of 7 Bangladeshis killed in Saudi road crash released; four from one family

The Consulate General of Bangladesh in Jeddah has released the identities of the seven Bangladeshis killed in a horrific road accident on their way back from Madinah to Jeddah. Four of the dead belonged to the same family. Six more Bangladeshis were injured in the accident. All of the victims’ ancestral homes are in Cox’s Bazar district.

The accident happened at around 2am on Saturday night in the Al-Himna area of Saudi Arabia. A car carrying 13 members of three families was travelling from Madinah to Jeddah when it crashed. Seven people were killed and six injured. The information was given in a preliminary report sent by the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Jeddah.

According to the consulate’s report, the dead are Ziaur Rahman, his daughter Bushra, his two sons Yasir and Yayan; Sanjida, wife of Alam Shah, and her daughter Faria; and Afsana Bibi, wife of Elias. Four members of Ziaur Rahman’s family were killed. The bodies have been kept at Al-Himna General Hospital and Khulais General Hospital.

The injured are Shakira, wife of Ziaur Rahman, and his daughter Yusra; Alam Shah and his son Faisal; Elias; and Gafur Alam. Shakira is being treated at Khulais General Hospital, Yusra at King Abdul Aziz Hospital in Jeddah, and Faisal at East Jeddah Hospital. Alam Shah and Elias left Al-Himna Hospital after primary treatment, while Gafur Alam is being treated at Khulais General Hospital.

The report says the consulate authorities took necessary steps immediately after the accident. Alongside contacting the relevant offices, the consulate’s counsellor (labour) visited the Khulais traffic office with a legal assistant and gathered detailed information about the accident from the officials there.

The consulate’s preliminary inquiry found that the crashed car was being driven by a Pakistani national. Traffic office officials said the vehicle was travelling at about 160 kilometres per hour at the time of the accident. Their preliminary view is that the driver lost control because of excessive speed and the car overturned. The driver, however, claims the accident happened because a tyre burst. The consulate is awaiting the Saudi authorities’ investigation and final report to know the real cause.

The consulate’s report also says Afsana Bibi, one of the dead, had travelled to Saudi Arabia a few days ago to perform Umrah. Four of the victims worked at Al-Abir Company. The consulate received this information from Salman, manager of the company’s Makkah branch.

Thirteen members of three families were travelling together in the same car from Madinah towards Jeddah. The car crashed in the Al-Himna area late at night. The consulate’s preliminary report gives detailed accounts of the time and place of the accident and the identities of the victims.

The bodies of the dead have been kept at two hospitals. Of the injured, three are being treated at hospitals in Jeddah and Khulais, and two have left hospital after primary treatment. The consulate said necessary steps are being taken regarding treatment of the injured and sending the bodies of the dead home.

There is a difference between the driver’s claim and the traffic office’s preliminary view about the cause of the accident. Traffic officials point to excessive speed, while the driver speaks of a burst tyre. The consulate said the real cause will be known once the Saudi authorities’ investigation and final report are received.