Two Kurdistan Region pilgrims killed en route to Mecca in bus crash

SULAYMANIYAH – Two Kurdish Umrah pilgrims from Chamchamal, Sulaymaniyah, were killed and 14 others injured in a bus collision last night near the Saudi-Iraqi border, officials reported.

The accident occurred approximately five kilometers from the Arar border area in Saudi Arabia, according to Nabaz Ismail, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs. Speaking to 964media, Ismail stated, “The bus was carrying 47 pilgrims from Chamchamal in Sulaymaniyah governorate when it collided with a transport vehicle.”

Tragically, the collision resulted in the deaths of two Kurdish pilgrims, identified as Jutyar Abdulmajid, born in 1991, and Gulizar Hama Amin, born in 1971. “Unfortunately, two Kurdish pilgrims, a man and a woman, lost their lives. They were identified as Jutyar Abdulmajid, born in 1991, and Gulizar Hama Amin, born in 1971,” Ismail said. “Fourteen others were injured, with two in critical condition.”

Additionally, both occupants of the transport vehicle involved in the crash also lost their lives, further escalating the tragedy.

Haji Kamil Rashid, head of the Wasila Company for Hajj and Umrah, told 964media, “The incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. while the bus was en route to Mecca.”

Ismail said the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating assistance for the victims. “However, the incident is a tragic one and deeply concerning for us,” Ismail added.