DUBAI: Authorities in Saudi Arabia say 35 pilgrims have been killed in a bus crash near the Muslim holy city of Mecca.
The state-run Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday that four others were injured in the crash.
The agency, quoting police in Saudi Arabia's Medina province, said the crash happened around 7 pm Wednesday on the road linking Mecca to the city of Medina.
It said the chartered bus carried Asian and Arab nationals, without elaborating.
Police were investigating the incident. Authorities gave no immediate cause for the crash.
Every able-bodied Muslim is required to perform the hajj, or Islam's religious pilgrimage, to Mecca, home of cube-shaped Kabaa that Muslims pray to five times a day. Pilgrims also come during other times of the year as well.
PM Modi expresses grief
Expressing condolences to the families of those who died, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Anguished by the news of a bus crash near Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Praying for a quick recovery of the injured."