- Bus–tanker crash reason behind tragedy near Madina
- Victims were Umrah pilgrims from India
A devastating road accident near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, has claimed the lives of at least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims, sending waves of grief through Telangana—particularly Hyderabad, where many victims lived. The tragedy occurred when a passenger bus collided head-on with a diesel tanker in Mufrihat, about 160 km from Madinah, around 1:30 am IST. The violent impact triggered a fire that engulfed the vehicle, giving passengers little chance to escape.
According to initial inputs received by the state government, most passengers on board were Indian nationals, with 16 victims confirmed to be from Hyderabad’s Bazarghat–Mallepalli neighbourhood. The group had departed Hyderabad on November 9 and was returning to Madinah after offering Umrah prayers in Mecca. Relatives said the travellers had booked through Al Meena and Al Mecca Travels in Nampally.
Only one survivor has been reported so far, making this one of the deadliest accidents involving Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia in recent years.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed deep shock, assuring that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were extending “fullest support” to affected families. A 24×7 emergency helpline (Toll-free: 8002440003) has been activated for inquiries.
The Telangana government has sprung into action, coordinating with the Centre and Saudi authorities. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy directed officials to verify identities, assist families, and monitor repatriation efforts. A dedicated control room has also been set up at the state secretariat.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi urged urgent intervention from New Delhi and stressed the need for swift repatriation of bodies and medical support for the injured. He confirmed speaking with embassy officials in Riyadh, who are gathering detailed passenger manifests from travel agencies.
Families in Hyderabad remain inconsolable as relatives recount final conversations and hurriedly attempt to gather documents for official verification. Travel agents involved in arranging the pilgrimage have also been contacted for passenger records.
The incident has reignited concerns over the safety of long-distance buses used for pilgrim transport in Saudi Arabia, particularly during peak Umrah seasons. As Indian officials work with Saudi authorities on identification and repatriation, the tragedy continues to resonate deeply within Hyderabad’s close-knit community.
