Two students of International Indian School Jeddah died and their sibling and parents suffered serious injuries when their car collided with a trailor on the Taif- Hada road Saturday night. Consul General of India Sayeed Ahmed Baba, who was on his way to the hospital in Makkah, told Saudi Gazette that according to preliminary information, Mishal Naushad Ali, 13, and Fatima Hanan, 10, died on the spot. However, their eldest sibling Muhammad Rishin, 15, survived but sustained injuries. Their parents Naushad Ali Kutty and Shakila Naushad - who were admitted to Noor Hospital in Makkah – are said to be in critical condition. The bodies of the deceased children have been shifted to Sheesha Hospital in Makkah. Baba said that officials of the Indian consulate were in the hospital to assist the family. “These are very sad days for the Indian community,” the consul general said, adding that, “first we lost Abdul Malik, who as of now is to be buried in Makkah, and this morning another tragedy struck the Indian community. My prayers and prayers of members of the Indian community are with the families of the deceased and hope and pray for the early and complete recovery of those injured in the accident.” He said that there had been a couple of accidents reported on the Jeddah-Makah road. According to him, every day 300 Indian school children have to commute between Makkah and Jeddah. “I will urge the Saudi authorities to have an Indian school in Makkah. If we can have a branch of the Indian school there the children will be spared taking the risky journey from home to school and back. It will be a great relief,” he added. Baba said that a request is pending with the Saudi authorities. “We hope and appeal for granting necessary permission at the earliest so that children do not have to take such a risky trip,” he added.
