Agency report
 
Jeddah, Apr 29 (Saturday, 4-15 am IST): Seven Indians were among 28 people killed on Friday when the bus in which they were travelling fell into a ditch in Saudi Arabia.

Among the injured were two Indians, eight Pakistanis and one Bangladeshi, reports reaching here said. The bus was on its way from Jeddah to Madinah when the accident took place.

A majority of the Indians killed belong to Kerala, Indian Consul-General Ausaf Sayeed said over phone from Jeddah.

The number of Indian casualties are likely to rise, he said, adding Indian officials are at the King Abdulaziz Hospital in Jeddah where all the bodies are being kept to identify the victims.

Sixteen Indians were travelling in the bus when it fell over a bridge into a ditch at Raheili near Jeddah. The bus, belonging to a private company, was carrying a total of 38 pilgrims and the accident took place at 2 AM this morning, Sayeed said.

The pilgrims were going to perform Friday prayers at the holy mosques at Madinah. The injured also include eight Pakistanis and one Bangladeshis.