SINGAPORE — A Singaporean performing the minor pilgrimage (umrah) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, was killed on Tuesday (March 20) after a lorry crashed into the bus that he was travelling in.

A number of passengers were also injured in the traffic accident, which happened between 8.30am to 9am local time. Singapore is five hours ahead of Mecca.

In a statement, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) said it "understands that the passengers are pilgrims managed by a local travel agency, Abu Bakar Travel Services Private Limited".

Most of the 31 passengers were Singaporeans.

Mr Mohamed Roslan Jaafar, honorary secretary of the Association of Muslim Travel Agents of Singapore (Amtas), told TODAY that the deceased is the travel agency's director Mohammad Abu Bakar Osman. His wife and two other Singaporeans are said to be in critical condition.

Mohammad Abu Bakar Osman (R) with an unidentified companion. Photo: TODAY reader

Seventeen other passengers have been discharged. The injured were sent to three hospitals in Mecca to receive medical attention.

Muis added that Singapore's Consul-General in Jeddah, Mr Syed Muhammad Raziff Aljunied, has visited the injured at the King Faisal Hospital.

"The Singapore Consulate in Jeddah will continue to provide the necessary support to the injured and their families, as well as to the deceased and his next of kin," said Muis.

"Muis would like to express our deepest sympathies to all the pilgrims affected in the accident and is reaching out to their next of kin to provide the necessary support."

In a Facebook post late on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the accident.

“Muis is working together with the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist the next-of-kin of the deceased, as well as the injured and their families,” Mr Lee noted.

“My deepest sympathies to those involved in this accident.”

President Halimah Yacob also said on her Facebook page: "I feel very sad for our pilgrims and their families and I pray for their well-being and peace of mind during this very difficult period."

Earlier in the evening, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim also wrote on Facebook that he was deeply saddened by the mishap.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by this unfortunate incident," said the minister.