Three of Faridpur family killed in Saudi road crash while heading for Umrah

Three members of a Bangladeshi family from Faridpur's Saltha upazila were killed and two others seriously injured in a road accident in Saudi Arabia while travelling from Riyadh to Makkah to perform Umrah.

The accident took place on Thursday afternoon (July 23-BST)), about 300 kilometres from Riyadh, when a heavy vehicle reportedly rammed into the family's private car from behind.

The deceased have been identified as Tania Tahmina Rina (45), daughter of former Atghar Union chairman Nazimuddin Molla, and her two children—Tasbik (20) and Zara (15).

Tania's husband Shafiqul Islam Khokon and their elder son Nabil sustained serious injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

Family members said the family had been living in Saudi Arabia for several years. On Thursday morning, all five members set out from Riyadh for Makkah to perform Umrah when the fatal crash occurred.

Victim's cousin Nasim Ahmed Kabir confirmed that the injured were rushed to hospital immediately after the accident and remain under medical care.

Tania's brother Touhid Mohammad Murad said doctors are closely monitoring the condition of Shafiqul Islam Khokon and Nabil.

The family is yet to decide whether the bodies of the deceased will be repatriated to Bangladesh or buried in Saudi Arabia.

The tragic deaths of three members of the same family have cast a pall of grief over Atghar Union in Saltha, where relatives and local residents expressed deep condolences and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.