Six people, including five female teachers and their driver, died in a collision on the Taif-Riyadh highway in Saudi Arabia on Thursday morning, authorities reported. The group was en route to Hailan Elementary and Intermediate School, located northwest of Al-Muwayh governorate, when the crash occurred.

According to initial reports from the National Transport Safety Center, the vehicle carrying the teachers collided with another vehicle along the highway in the Makkah region. The driver of the teachers’ vehicle died at the scene, resulting in a total of six fatalities. Among the deceased teachers was one who was pregnant, a relative confirmed.

The five teachers regularly traveled more than 400 kilometers daily to reach their workplace, highlighting the long commute they undertook as part of their routine. Emergency responders were dispatched to the site of the accident and transported the victims to Al-Muwayh Hospital.

The National Transport Safety Center announced it had activated a safety investigation team to examine the circumstances of the crash. The team is working in coordination with relevant authorities to gather data and determine the factors contributing to the collision. Further findings are expected as the investigation progresses.