(Image source from: Gulf News)

At least 12 Indians were among the 17 people killed in a horrific crash in which a bus full of holidaymakers returning from Oman met with an accident in Dubai, the Consulate General of India (CGI) said on Friday.

The accident took place at Al Rashidiya exit at 5:40 p.m. on Thursday. The tourist bus was carrying 31 passengers of different nationalities and crashed into the signboard.

Consul General of India to Dubai Vipul posted on Twitter a list identifying the 12 Indian victims. Earlier, eight Indians were reported dead in the accident.

"With great sadness we inform that Indian fatalities in Dubai bus accident has gone up to 12. Our officers are at Rashidiya police station and mortuary to extend all assistance. Our effort now is to get formalities completed soon so that mortal remains can be repatriated soon," he tweeted.

With great sadness we inform that Indian fatalities in Dubai bus accident has gone up to 12. Our officers are at Rashidiya police station and mortuary to extend all assistance. Our effort now is to get formalities completed soon so that mortal remains can be repatriated soon. pic.twitter.com/ai3mbesBDl

— vipul (@vipulifs) June 7, 2019

He told the Khaleej Times that repatriation of the bodies is expected to begin on Saturday or Sunday. The Consulate General of India tweeted that it "is in touch with relatives of some of the deceased and awaits further details for others to inform their families".

Twelve Indians who died in the mishap are Vikram Jawahar Thakur, Vimal Kumar Karthikeyan Kesavapilaikar, Kiran Johny Johny Vallithottathil Paily, Feroz Khan Pathan, Reshma Feroz Khan Pathan, Ummer Chonokadavath, Nabil Ummer Chonokadavath, Vasudev Vishandas, Rajan Puthiyapurayil Gopalan, Jamaludeen Muhamedunni Jamaludeen, Prabula Madhavan Deepa Kumar and Roshni Moolchandani.

Four Indians were discharged after receiving treatment in Rashid Hospital.

By Sowmya Sangam