16 Palestinians die in accident in Jordan

Sixteen Palestinians died late Wednesday when their bus overturned in south Jordan, authorities said on Thursday.

More than 30 people were injured in the accident, some in critical condition, Jordan's Civil Defence Department (CDD) said in a statement, Xinhua reported.

The CDD said the accident was "most probably" caused by the driver losing control of the vehicle.

The bus, with Palestinians planning to perform umra, was heading toward Saudi Arabia's Mecca.

Three years ago, on March 16, 2013, a similar accident occurred in the same area, 17 Palestinians were killed when their bus overturned after returning from Mecca en route to Palestine.