Four members of a south Indian family became victims in a fatal road accident early on Monday morning in Muzamiya near Riyadh.

According to a family friend, Imran Manglore, the accident took place almost 100 km away from Riyadh while returning after performing Umrah. There were seven people in the car.

“Four of them, including an infant died on the spot. The family are said to be from Kedhakar, Uppala district of Kerala state in India and were returning to Riyadh having performed Umrah,” said Imran.

The seven members included Arabi Kedakar, 62 (father), Aisha Bi, 58 (mother and sister of the late Dr. Iddin Kunchi from Uppala), Lateef Kedakar, 39 (son), Nisha, 27 daughter-in-law, and three children aged 6, 3 and a few months old baby.

“The father, mother, son and grandchild died on the spot,” Imran said. The daughter-in-law and two surviving children are in critical condition in the King Fahad Hospital.

The parents were visiting their son and his family in Riyadh.

“It is not clear how the accident happened but I think it was due to fatigue caused by the long hours of driving where the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. The Indian Fraternity Forum (IFF) members rushed to the hospital and are in touch with the embassy for legal procedures,” he explained.

Surinder Bhagat, second secretary (political, information and commerce) at the Indian Embassy Riyadh confirmed the news and told Arab News that embassy officials are aware of the accident and are in touch with the family members. They are also taking care of the accident victims and facilitating the survivors with assistance for the required paper work.