A tragic road accident in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of five Pakistani Umrah pilgrims, including three women, as their bus crashed while returning from a visit to the historic site of Badr en route to Madina.

According to initial reports, the victims — most of whom belonged to the Bahawalnagar district — included Rukhsana Bibi and Amina Bibi from 228/9-R Fort Abbas, two women from Dahran Wala, and an elderly man, Manzoor Hussain, from 39/3-R.

Several other pilgrims sustained injuries and have been shifted to different hospitals in Madina for medical treatment. Hospital sources confirmed that four of the injured, including two women, are receiving care at the Saudi-German Hospital, while three others, including two women, are being treated at King Fahd Hospital. Another injured woman is admitted to King Salman Hospital.

Muhammad Khalid, a relative of the victims, said that his sister and two cousins were among those who lost their lives in the accident.

Pakistan’s Consul General in Jeddah, Khalid Majeed, told that the consulate team is extending full support to the injured and coordinating with the Umrah operator. He confirmed that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) have been issued for the burial of three of the deceased in Saudi Arabia.

Family members of the victims have also confirmed that the deceased will be laid to rest in the Kingdom.