Four Haj pilgrims from Kerala die in Saudi Arabia

New Delhi, Dec 15 (UNI) Four Haj pilgrims from Kerala, including three women, were killed in an accident and about 15 injured near Mecca today afer their bus met with an accident, official sources said here.

The bus was on its way to Mecca from Medina when it hit a railing and overturned, the sources added.

Those killed were identified as Rukhia, Fathima, Kunjuman and Abdul Razak.

The bus, which was carrying 48 Hajis, met with the accident about 15 km from Mecca, the sources said, adding that the injured had been admitted to various hospitals.

More than 150,000 Hajis from India are expected to perform the five-day pilgrimage this year.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed had flagged off a batch of Hajis here yesterday.

UNI