Eighteen illegal Yemeni immigrants suffered first-to-third degree burns after Saudi police poured gasoline into the hole where they hid and set it on fire, according to Al-Sahwa news service.

Seven managed to escape the hole without getting burnt as the incident took place in Saudi Arabia's Khamis Mushit city located not far from Yemeni borders. In an effort to save their lives, the illegal infiltrators throw themselves out of the fire that was blazing all around the hole; however, they got burnt. Three of them suffered first-degree burns.

When they came out the hole, the Saudi police took them to their centers where they conducted investigations with them giving no attention to their cries, burns and pain. Later, they were moved to a hospital and stayed there for four days.

By the end of the fourth day, they were transported by special vehicles to Yemen and were handed over to Yemeni border guards who showed sympathy to the condition of the poor immigrants.

Sources indicated that three of the injured are currently in serious condition.

According to victims' accounts, Saudi police kept looking at them as they were getting burnt, as victims rubbed themselves in the sands to take the fire out. The police also forced them to sign concessions to absolve their responsibility.

Latest sources indicate that the Ministry of Interior has contacted the Saudi Embassy in Sana’a asking for clarification on the incident, however details of the discussions have not yet been disclosed by the ministry.

Meanwhile, the victims appealed to President Saleh and human rights organizations to stand by them, and to help provide medical care to those who suffered critical burns and are now being treated at Al-Hodeidah's Al-Thawrah Hospital.