Horrific oil tanker accident on Makkah-Jeddah highway; several vehicles burnt

April 21, 2017

Jeddah, Apr 21: At least one person died and several injured on Friday morning after a road accident caused a massive oil tanker fire on the Haramain expressway, authorities said.

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Maj. Naif Al-Sharif, spokesman for the General Directorate of Civil Defense in Makkah, confirmed a single fatality inside a burnt-out vehicle after an accident caused a 33-ton oil tanker to catch fire on the main highway between the cities of Makkah and Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia’s west.

The Civil Defense, who are responsible for handling these types of incidents, were called around 1am on Friday and were able to contain the blaze, avoiding a possible explosion of the tanker, Al-Sharif said. They also put in place safe passages for vehicular traffic around the accident site.

Arab News photographer Ahmad Hashad witnessed fire fighters dramatically contain the inferno engulfing the oil-ladened vehicle. Images from the scene also showed at least two smaller cars destroyed by the flames.

The case has been handed over to the appropriate authorities to complete other necessary procedures.

The Haramain expressway is the main route into Makkah from Jeddah. It is the primary route for most pilgrims to the holy city after they land at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport.

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News Network
April 20,2020

Sharjah, Apr 20: Air Arabia announced on Monday it will operate new repatriation flights from four cities in India to Sharjah carrying UAE nationals back home.

The special flights will operate from Mumbai and Delhi to Sharjah International Airport on April 20 while special flights will operate from Kochi and Hyderabad to Sharjah International Airport on April 22.

Air Arabia remains committed to bring stranded citizens back home as well as supporting requests to operate repatriation flights and is working closely with UAE authorities in this regard, the airline said.

Air Arabia announced earlier that it’s operating a mix of repatriation flights as well as cargo flights during the month of April to multiple destinations.

Further information about the repatriation and cargo flights is available on the website or can be obtained by contacting the Air Arabia call centre on 06 5580000 or respective travel agent.

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News Network
April 24,2020

Riyadh, Apr 24: As many as eleven Indian nationals have died due to COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.

"As per information available with the Embassy as of April 22, eleven Indian nationals (four in Madinah, three in Makkah, two in Jeddah, one in Riyadh and one in Dammam) have passed away due to COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia," the Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia said in a press release on Wednesday.

It urged the Indian community to remain calm and avoid spreading of rumours amid the COVID-19 crisis.

"The Embassy also reiterates the need for the community to remain calm and avoid spreading of rumours that may create panic. It is important that social media is not used to disseminate false messages and spread hatred along communal lines that can vitiate the atmosphere," the Embassy said.

"As stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking, and our response and conduct should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood," it said.

Moreover, several measures on the supply of food, medicines and other emergency assistance to Indians in need are being implemented across the Kingdom.

Earlier, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ausaf Sayeed on April 22 had interacted with Indian community volunteers from the smaller towns all across the Kingdom to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 situation, and evaluate the implementation of various measures to ensure the welfare of Indian nationals.

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March 16,2020

Cairo, Mar 16: Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman said G20 summit will work to combat coronavirus and coordinate efforts to ease its economic burdens, state news agency SPA said on Sunday.

In a phone call with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Salman discussed international efforts to fight the flu-like disease, saying the next G20 summit, which will be hosted by the Kingdom, will work on finding medical solutions, SPA added.

The G20 Summit is an annual gathering of representatives of the world's largest economies.

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