45 Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana were killed in a bus fire near Medinah in Saudi Arabia, with only one survivor, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said on Monday.Following the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences and said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. The Telangana Chief Minister has also announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the victims.
Telangana CM announces ex gratia, sends team to Saudi Arabia
The Telangana government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who died in the Saudi Arabia bus accident. The state cabinet has also decided to send an official team to Saudi Arabia, led by minority welfare minister Mohd Azharuddin. An AIMIM MLA and a senior minority affairs official will join the delegation. According to the Telangana CMO, two family members of each victim will also be facilitated to travel to Saudi Arabia.Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has instructed the chief secretary and the director general of police to gather complete details of the passengers without delay. A control room has also been established at the Telangana Secretariat to support affected families.Meanwhile, AIMIM leader Waris Pathan said that party chief Asaduddin Owaisi immediately contacted the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of External Affairs after learning of the accident and is coordinating efforts to assist affected families.He said some relatives have requested that the bodies be brought back to India, and AIMIM teams, both locally and in Saudi Arabia, are working with the families of the victims.
How the tragedy unfolded
Addressing the media, Sajjanar said the group was traveling from Mecca to Medinah when their bus collided with an oil tanker about 25 km outside Medinah, triggering an explosion that engulfed the vehicle within minutes.“The fire spread rapidly, leaving no time for most passengers to escape,” Sajjanar was quoted as saying by ANI.
45 killed, one in critical condition
Of the 46 passengers on board, 45 died at the scene after the bus was completely gutted by the fire. The sole survivor, Md Abdul Shoaib, has been admitted to the ICU of a Saudi hospital and remains in critical condition.
Who was on board
According to the Commissioner, 54 pilgrims from Hyderabad had traveled to Jeddah on November 9 for an Umrah tour scheduled from November 9 to 23. Four of them went to Madinah separately by car, while another four stayed back in Makkah for personal reasons. The remaining 46 pilgrims were on the bus that met with the fatal accident.The victims are reported to include women and children, with most passengers believed to have been asleep when the crash occurred.
Consulate sets up helplines and control room
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has issued multiple helpline numbers, 8002440003 (toll-free), 00966122614093, 00966126614276, and 00966556122301 (WhatsApp), and urged family members to contact them for immediate support.The mission has also set up a 24×7 control room following the accident involving Umrah pilgrims near Madinah.“Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are also in touch with the Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry, and other local authorities. They are also in touch with the concerned Umrah operators,” the Consulate said in a statement.
PM Modi condoles the tragedy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conveyed deep sorrow over the tragic accident in Medinah.“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,” PM Modi said through a post on X.
Deeply shocked, says EAM S Jaishankar
EAM S Jaishankar tweeted, “Deeply shocked at the accident involving Indian nationals in Medinah, Saudi Arabia. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident. Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”Telangana Congress president Mahesh Kumar Goud said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has spoken with the Center and set up a helpline for the victims’ families. He added that state leaders will meet the affected families and extend all possible assistance.
