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Two Britons killed in Saudi coach crash | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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RIYADH, (Reuters) – Two British Muslim pilgrims died and 34 were injured when their bus crashed in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, British and Saudi sources said.

The bus, travelling between the Islamic holy cities of Medina and Mecca, hit a road barrier in the early morning after the driver fell asleep at the wheel, Saudi police said.

A British diplomat in Riyadh said the accident happened about 90 km (55 miles) north of Jeddah. He said three of the injured were in a critical condition, and it was not clear if other motorists were hurt in the crash.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from around the world are expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks for the haj pilgrimage which begins in late December.

Around 125,000 Britons visit Saudi Arabia each year for the Muslim haj and umra pilgrimages. Another 20,000 British expatriates live there.