According to preliminary information, the death toll in the accident on the way to Mecca has increased to 20.

At least 20 people have been killed and more than two dozen injured after a bus carrying pilgrims to Mecca burst into flames after a bus carrying pilgrims to Mecca collided with a bridge on Monday, Saudi state media reported. .

The accident in the southern province of Asir highlights the challenges faced in safely transporting pilgrims to the cities of Mecca and Medina.

The incident took place during the first week of Ramzan, when a large number of pilgrims arrive for the Umrah pilgrimage.

After some time in the year, the annual Haj pilgrimage is also held here, in which lakhs of Muslims reach from all over the world.

According to the report of the state-affiliated channel Al-Ekhbariya, "According to the preliminary information we have received, the death toll in this accident has increased to 20, while the number of injured people is about 29..." According to the report, the number of dead is different. Were citizens of different countries, but did not give any detailed information.

The channel reported that there was a 'car trouble' in the bus, which did not give detailed information, but according to the private newspaper Okaz, the accident was caused by a brake issue.

The vehicle then 'hit the bridge, overturned, and caught fire...'

In footage broadcast by Al-Ekhbariya, a reporter can be seen standing in front of the wreckage of what looks like a charred bus shell.

Transporting pilgrims to holy sites in Saudi Arabia has proven to be a dangerous task, which becomes especially difficult during the Hajj, when buses cause huge traffic jams on the roads, adding to the danger.

In October 2019 too, 35 foreigners were killed and four others were injured when a bus collided with another heavy vehicle near Madinah.

Despite this, pilgrimage is an essential part of Saudi Arabia's ever-growing tourism sector.