Saudi parents find their five children dead, in second suspected mass murder in Middle East

Saudi parents find their five children dead, in second suspected mass murder in Middle East
Five children from the same family have been found dead at their home, local media reported.
2 min read
20 July, 2020
Police have launched an investigation into the killings [Getty]
A mother and father returned from a quick errand in Saudi Arabia last week to find their five children dead, local media reported.

The couple, who were just 6km away from the house in Saudi’s Al-Ahsa governate, knocked on the door when returning but found no answer. 

The father then climbed into the home using a ladder only to discover his 20-year-old son hanged in a room and four daughters dead with stab wounds to the neck, Okaz reported.

The four daughters - aged between 14 and 22 - were hidden under the staircase, the Saudi paper reported, noting that one had a rope around her neck. 

A relative of the family who spoke to the Saudi paper said the parents are in a traumatic state.

The shocking incident came as the family prepared for a "life changing" move to a new house before the upcoming Eid al-Adha festivities, the relative added.

Saudi media has quickly laid the blame on the son who was found hanged, however authorities have said they will launch an investigation into the incident.

Burials for the victims have been postponed and will take place after the investigation is completed, authorities said.

It was the second mass murder to strike the Middle East in a week, with Egyptian media reporting that a man killed five members of his own family after setting them alight over a dispute on expenses.

The man, identified as Hossam, was arrested and is awaiting legal proceedings after setting fire to his apartment, where his 70-year-old mother, wife (41) and four daughters (17, ten, six and three) were.

The 17-year-old was the sole survivor of the fire and has been transported to hospital where she is being treated for her injuries.

The incident in Asyut was triggered by an argument over expenses, local media reported, though no further details were provided.

Civil defence forces swiftly moved to contain the fire after a number of reports from neighbours. The first floor of the home was completely destroyed, authorities said.

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