A bus carrying pilgrims to Mecca caught fire on Monday after colliding with a bridge, killing 20 people and injuring more than two dozen others.
The incident in the southern province of Asir highlights the ongoing challenges in safely transporting worshipers to Makkah and Madinah.
“According to the preliminary information we have received, the death toll in this accident has reached 20 people and the total number of injured is 29,” Al Ekhbariya, a state agency, reported.
He said the victims were of “different nationalities”, but did not mention them or provide details.
The channel said the bus had an “automobile problem” without elaborating, while a private Okaz newspaper said the crash was caused by a faulty brake system. The vehicle “later collided with a bridge, overturned and caught fire”.