By At least 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims, including several from Hyderabad, were killed after a bus collided with a diesel tanker near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, early Monday morning. Authorities confirmed there is only one survivor who is receiving treatment in hospital.
Details of the Accident
The tragic incident occurred around 1:30 am IST in Mufrihat, roughly 160 km from Madinah. The pilgrims were returning from Mecca after performing Umrah prayers when the bus crashed.
- The group had departed Hyderabad on November 9 and traveled via Al Meena and Al Mecca Travels, Nampally.
- The total group consisted of 54 members, with some traveling separately by car or staying back in Mecca.
- The bus carrying 46 pilgrims collided with an oil tanker approximately 25 kilometers from Madinah.
The sole survivor, identified as Mohammad Abdul Suyaib, is currently in the ICU at Saudi German Hospital. The deceased have been shifted to a local hospital.
Telangana Government Response
The Telangana government has been actively coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Saudi authorities to provide urgent assistance to the victims’ families.
- Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock and directed officials to confirm the number of Telangana residents involved.
- A control room has been established at the State Secretariat to support families and collect information.
- Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and DGP Shivadhar Reddy are leading the relief coordination.
Indian Embassy and Government Support
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar extended condolences and confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing full assistance to the victims and their families.
- The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has launched a 24×7 helpline: Toll-free 8002440003 for family inquiries.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that Indian officials are in close contact with Saudi authorities and are providing all possible help.
Hyderabad Victims
According to Telangana IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu, at least 16 of the deceased were Hyderabad residents, primarily from the Bazarghat area of Mallepalli. The Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar provided a detailed travel schedule of the group, highlighting their journey from Jeddah to Madinah.
AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi called for immediate intervention by the Union Government, requesting that the bodies be repatriated to India and that the injured receive proper medical care.
