MADINAH, 15 September 2007 — Fifteen pilgrims — including seven Egyptians, five Bangladeshis, one Saudi and two unidentified persons — died in two road accidents that took place yesterday in Madinah and Yanbu, the Civil Defense said.
The first accident took place when a Mercedes bus carrying 51 pilgrims overturned after hitting a barrier along the Hijrah Road, 60 kilometers southwest of Madinah, while they were returning from Makkah to the Eastern Province.
“Some passengers were trapped inside the bus and rescue workers had to toil hard for an hour to take out the bodies,” Maj. Khaled Al-Johani, a Civil Defense spokesman, told Arab News.
Eight passengers of different nationalities died and 43 others were injured, he said, adding that the injured were taken to King Fahd Hospital in Madinah.
Three rescue teams, a fire-fighting team, first aid teams of Saudi Red Crescent Society and medical teams of the Health Affairs Department took part in the operation.
An investigation has been launched to find out the cause of the accident.
The second accident occurred while a group of Egyptian pilgrims were traveling from Yanbu to Makkah to perform Umrah.
While they were on Al-Rayes Road, the driver had to unsuccessfully swerve to avoid collision with a food truck.
“The bus hit behind the truck and the accident trapped four passengers inside the bus,” Al-Johani said.
Civil Defense officers had to work hard to get the trapped passengers out. “This accident killed seven Egyptians and injured 37 others,” he said. The injured were taken to hospitals in Yanbu. Traffic police launched an investigation.
Road accidents are one of the public concerns during the holy month of Ramadan. In view of this, authorities in various cities have taken measures to regulate traffic during rush hours.
As the government sector operates from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the month, the minister of education has directed schools to start half an hour earlier at 9.30 a.m. to avoid clash between school and worker traffic in the morning.
The Jeddah Traffic Department has also put a plan together to prevent accidents during rush hours, especially around sundown when there are an abundance of cars on the road and many people driving at high speeds. Traffic police will also monitor Jeddah’s vegetable market, which is usually heavily congested.
