3 killed, 56 injured as tragedy strikes UAE-based Umrah pilgrims

Abu Dhabi - A bus with Umrah pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia overturned, leaving three people dead and 56 injured on the Abu Dhabi-Ghuwaifat highway. The bus, carrying 60 UAE-based pilgrims, turned turtle near Abu Al Abbyadh, about 200km from the Abu Dhabi city, around 3am on Saturday after a worn-out tyre burst. The police said the driver was “exhausted” after a long drive and was speeding when one of the tyres burst. The vehicle crashed into the roadside barrier and overturned. The driver, who escaped unhurt, has been arrested. “Three people died on the spot while almost all the others sustained minor to critical injuries. Nine of the injured are in critical condition and were airlifted to the nearest medical facility,” said Colonel Hamad Nasser Al Balushi, Director of External Roads at the Traffic Department of Abu Dhabi Police. “Most of the injured passengers were given medical assistance on site.” Al Balushi said the victims, including the deceased, were Asians who had gone for Umrah. According to sources, the pilgrims hail from the Indian state of Kerala, who left for Saudi Arabia from Karama, Dubai, on May 6. The deceased have been identified as Mohammed Moulavi, Aboobacker and Abdul Latheef. Moulavi, 40, used to work in the X-ray department of the Rashid Hospital in Dubai. “Moulavi was a very sweet person who always greeted everyone with a smile. Officials and patients used to be friendly with him because of his nature. He was a very religious person,” said one of Moulavi’s colleagues. Moulavi is survived by his wife and three children, who are in Kerala.  Details about the other deceased were not immediately available. Residents of the Abu Al Abbyadh area said they were left shocked after seeing the accident scene. “It was horrifying to see the bus turned over. People were squeezing out of the bus and their clothes were stained with blood,” said Mohammed Anwar, an employee of a nearby private department. Another resident, an Asian garage worker, said he heard a “big blast”. “Those of us who were nearby rushed to help the victims,” said Aftab Baloch.   Khaleej Times