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One person died on Friday morning after a road accident caused a massive oil tanker fire on the Haramain expressway, authorities said.

Maj. Naif Al-Sharif, spokesman for the General Directorate of Civil Defense in Makkah, confirmed a single fatality inside a burnt-out vehicle after an accident caused a 33-ton oil tanker to catch fire on the main highway between the cities of Makkah and Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia’s west.

The Civil Defense, who are responsible for handling these types of incidents, were called around 1am on Friday and were able to contain the blaze, avoiding a possible explosion of the tanker, Al-Sharif said. They also put in place safe passages for vehicular traffic around the accident site.

Arab News photographer Ahmad Hashad witnessed fire fighters dramatically contain the inferno engulfing the oil-ladened vehicle. Images from the scene also showed at least two smaller cars destroyed by the flames.

The case has been handed over to the appropriate authorities to complete other necessary procedures.

The Haramain expressway is the main route into Makkah from Jeddah. It is the primary route for most pilgrims to the holy city after they land at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport.

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(Photos by Ahmad Hashad of Makkah)

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