Over 40 Umrah Pilgrims From Hyderabad Feared Dead In Massive Bus-Tanker Collision In Saudi Arabia

Forty-five Indian Umrah pilgrims, many from Telangana's Hyderabad, charred to death after a passenger bus travelling from Mecca to Medina collided with a diesel tanker in Saudi Arabia late Sunday night. The tragic crash occurred at Mufrihat (Muharhat), around 160 km from Medina, at 11.15 PM local time.

Total 54 pilgrims travelled from Hyderabad to Mecca out of which 46 people boarded (including 21 women and 11 children) the bus from Mecca to Medina, and many of the victims’ bodies were burned beyond recognition due to the fire that engulfed the bus.

Horrific Late-Night Accident Near Medina: Pilgrims Mostly From Hyderabad

According to reports, a large number of the decreased passengers were from Hyderabad, including women and children. Several families had completed their Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca and were travelling to Medina when the accident took place. The final list of victims is still being verified.

In view of a tragic bus accident near Madina, Saudi Arabia, involving Indian Umrah pilgrims, a 24x7 Control Room has been set up in Consulate General of India, Jeddah. 

The contact details of the Helpline Toll-free number is - 8002440003

PM Modi Expresses Grief 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia. In a post on X, PM Modi assured that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance, while Indian officials are also in close contact with the Saudi Arabian authorities. "Deeply saddened by the accident in Medinah involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with Saudi Arabian authorities," the Prime Minister wrote.

‘Deeply Shocked’: Jaishankar Ensures Full Support

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday expressed ‘deep shock’ over the bus accident near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, that involved several Indian pilgrims on Umrah. In a post on X, he said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were extending ‘fullest support’ to all affected families.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Expresses Shock

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed shock and grief over the tragedy. He has directed the Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and DGP Shivdhar Reddy to urgently gather full details from officials in Saudi Arabia. A control room has been set up at the Telangana Secretariat to assist anxious families. Control Room Numbers are - 7997959754 and 9912919545.

The state government is coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Ministry of External Affairs to identify the deceased and extend help.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi too, has contacted the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, where Deputy Chief of Mission Abu Mathen George assured him that information is being gathered. The MP further assisted by sharing passenger details from two Hyderabad-based travel agencies with both the Embassy and the Foreign Secretary. Owaisi urgently called upon the Centre, specifically External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, to ensure the bodies of the deceased are repatriated to India and that any injured individuals receive immediate and adequate medical treatment.

Following a tragic bus accident late last night involving Umrah pilgrims, the Consulate General of India, Jeddah has taken immediate action. A 24x7 control room has been established at the Consulate to coordinate assistance. The Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are actively coordinating with the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry, the Umrah operators, and other local authorities.

A team of Consulate staff and Indian community volunteers is currently on the ground at various hospitals and the accident site to provide support.

MLA Majid Hussain Reaches Out to Families of Saudi Bus Accident Victims

Mohammad Majid Hussain, the AIMIM MLA from Nampally, met with the families affected by the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia. Speaking to the reporters in Hyderabad, Hussain confirmed that he and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi are actively coordinating with authorities. He said, "A very unfortunate accident took place in Saudi Arabia in which many people died in a bus accident. We are in touch with the authorities, and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi is in touch with the Consulate General of India, Jeddah. I am in touch with the bereaved families."

Mecca Bus Accident: Families of Victims Plead for Aid

Relatives of the pilgrims involved in the tragic bus fire between Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia requested the Centre and the Telangana government to facilitate their travel to Saudi Arabia and the repatriation of the bodies. The bus, reportedly carrying over 40 people, mostly from Hyderabad on an Umrah pilgrimage, caught massive fire after colliding with an oil tanker.

Mufti Asifullah Qasmi, a local Hyderabad resident, told ANI that seven of his family members were on the pilgrimage. He said, "A batch of 45-46 members went to Saudi Arabia from Hyderabad. The bus carrying them caught fire and as soon as we received information we contacted Al Makkah Tours & Travels. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi spoke with me. We urge the government to allow us to go to Saudi Arabia. Seven members of my family went to Saudi Arabia...". Another Hyderabad resident shared that five members of his family had died in the tragic accident and requested the Central and State governments to make proper arrangements to bring the bodies back to India. According to locals, there were 42 people on the bus. One local recounted that a child named Shoaib broke the glass and managed to jump out, sustaining a serious head injury, while the driver also managed to jump out of the vehicle.