Daijiworld Media Network - Medina (SHP)

Medina, Oct 17: Over 35 foreigners were killed and four injured after a bus collided with another heavy vehicle near Medina, the holy city for Muslims, on Thursday.

The accident on Wednesday involved a collision between 'a private chartered bus, with a heavy vehicle (loader)', near the western Saudi Arabian city, a spokesman for Medina police said, as reported in an official Saudi Press Agency.

The casualties included Asians and Arabs pilgrims. Images of the accident showed the bus, engulfed in flames with its windows blown out. Some of the people who sustained injuries were shifted to Al-Hamna Hospital.

Back in April 2018, four British pilgrims and 12 others were killed after a bus collided with a fuel tanker, the people were on their way to Mecca.

With a means to diversify its oil-dependent economy, the kingdom of Saudi is looking to foster a year-round religious tourism sector for foreigners from all over the world.

Up until last month, the country only issued visas to Muslim pilgrims and foreign workers but now tourists are allowed to visit as part of the drive to prepare Saudi Arabia's economy for a post-oil era.