A bus carrying Umrah pilgrims caught fire in Saudi Arabia after colliding with a tanker lorry, killing 45 people, including 20 women and 11 children. Immigration officials in Hyderabad confirmed that most of the victims were from the city.
The crash occurred around 2300 hours local time, nearly 40 km from Madinah, when the bus, carrying 46 passengers, had stopped on the roadside and was struck by the tanker, triggering a powerful explosion.
According to Saudi authorities, one Indian national survived the crash. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the accident.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah said a team of officers rushed to the accident site and to hospitals as soon as they were informed, and have since been coordinating with local officials and assisting families.
Consulate officials have also met the survivor and are working with hospital staff to ensure he receives adequate medical care.
The mortal remains of the deceased have been moved to King Fahad Hospital, King Salman Hospital, and Al Miqat Hospital in Madinah. The Consulate said it is committed to ensuring the swift handling of the remains in accordance with the wishes of families, who will have the option of repatriating their loved ones to India or opting for burial at Jannatul Baqi, a cemetery in Madinah.
Indian officials remain in contact with authorities in the Saudi Provincial Government, as well as the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Transport in Riyadh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident, extending his condolences to the bereaved families. “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,” he said in a post on X.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar expressed deep shock, saying the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were providing full support to Indian nationals and their families. “Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he added.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said he was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the tragic accident. "My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," Rijiju said in a post on X.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed that 45 people died in the accident, with only one survivor currently hospitalised.
Addressing reporters here, Sajjanar said a total of 54 people travelled to Jeddah from Hyderabad on November 9. They were scheduled to return on November 23.
Of the 54, four people travelled separately by car to Madina on Sunday, while another four stayed back in Mecca.
He added that they were supposed to return to Hyderabad on 23rd of November.
AIMIM MLA Majid Hussain said, "We have received information that over 40 people died in the accident, and we are coordinating with the families."
A 24x7 control room has also been set up at the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, to assist the families of the victims and provide information. The toll-free number is 8002440003, 0122614093, 0126614276, 0556122301 (WhatsApp)
The Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are coordinating with the Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry, local authorities, and the relevant Umrah operators.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has expressed profound shock over the horrific accident. He has directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to obtain full details. He has also instructed officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi Embassy to be contacted to undertake immediate relief measures.
Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao has spoken with Coordination Secretary Gaurav Uppal in Delhi and issued directives. A control room has been set up at the Secretariat to monitor the situation and provide information to families.
Control Room Numbers:
+91 79979 59754
+91 99129 19545
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that he was in touch with Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, who is gathering information about the incident. Owaisi also urged the central government to ensure the repatriation of the victims’ bodies to India and to provide proper medical care for the injured.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin condoled the death of the pilgrims.
Expressing deep shock over the tragic bus accident, he said on X, "My deepest condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I hope the injured pilgrim receives full medical care and recovers soon."
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami too condoled the demise and said he was anguished over the death of Indians.
'I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray to the Almighty God to rest the souls of the deceased in the eternal peace," Palaniswami said in a post on X.
Transporting worshippers around Saudi Arabia's holy sites has frequently proven dangerous, particularly during the hajj, when roads can be chaotic with buses creating interminable traffic jams.
Millions also visit Saudi Arabia for the umrah pilgrimage, which happens outside of the hajj period.
In March 2023, a bus ferrying pilgrims to the holy city of Mecca burst into flames after a collision on a bridge, killing 20 people and injuring more than two dozen others.
And in October 2019, some 35 foreigners were killed and four others injured when a bus collided with another heavy vehicle near Medina.