4 die in Saudi Arabia after car trapped by floods near Mecca

Four friends drowned after their car was swept away by floodwaters resulting from heavy rains that recently lashed the Saudi region of Mecca, relatives have said.

The tragedy occurred after the four performed the Maghrib (sunset) prayers and rode the car, heading to a rest house, Abdullah Al Zahrani, a relative, said.

While on the road, they were surprised by the flooding in Wadi Arna south of Mecca but thought the car could make its way through it. However, according to Al Zahrani, the waves were so high that they submerged the car.

“We must take the warnings of the Meteorology Centre into account,” he said. “We may see a small amount of water, but it may be dangerous. We must behave cautiously during rainfall, especially in the Mecca region, which is full of wadis (valleys),” he added.

Earlier this week, several Saudi areas, including Mecca, Jeddah, and Medina, were hit by downpours, prompting local authorities to be on high alert. Social media footage showed some roads submerged and vehicles stranded.