Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the horrific bus crash that killed around 24 omrah hajj pilgrims and injured around 23 people at the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia on Monday.   But it was not clear how many Bangladeshis were among the dead. Authorities said they were trying to figure out that.  In a condolence message, she prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed souls and quick recovery of the injured persons. The bus was carrying pilgrims to the holy city Makkah. Reportedly, many of the passengers were Bangladeshis. The accident occurred at about 4.00 pm at Agabat Shaar in Asir province. Read more: Tremor in Turkey and Syria: PM Sheikh Hasina expresses shock She asked the Foreign Ministry officials and the Saudi Mission personnel to take necessary actions for recovering the bodies of Bangladeshi nationals and ensure proper treatment for the injured. According to the preliminary report, due to the malfunction of the brake system the bus lost control and collided with a car, rolled over, and caught fire.  The passengers could not get off the bus and around 24 passengers were killed on the spot.  

The Saudi Arabian government on Tuesday announced that Hajj will be ‘very limited’ this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, with people already living in the KSA allowed to take part in the pilgrimage.