In a devastating road accident in Saudi Arabia, at least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad, Telangana, lost their lives early Monday when their bus collided head-on with a diesel tanker near Mufrihat, en route from Mecca to Madinah. Initial reports indicate the bus burst into flames upon impact, with most passengers—many asleep—trapped inside. Only one survivor has been reported so far. The crash occurred around 1:30 AM local time (Indian time: approximately 3:30 AM IST), highlighting the severity of high-speed collisions on highways.
Saudi Civil Defense and emergency teams rushed to the scene for rescue operations, but the intense fire made recovery efforts challenging. Local authorities are verifying casualty figures and identifying victims through DNA and documents, as many bodies were charred beyond recognition. Among the deceased are reportedly 20 women and 11 children, all part of a group that departed Hyderabad on November 9 via a local travel agency.
Indian Government and Officials Respond Swiftly
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow on X (formerly Twitter): “Deeply saddened by the tragic accident involving Indian Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Indian officials are in close coordination with Saudi authorities. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar echoed the sentiment, stating the missions are offering “fullest support” to affected families. A 24×7 control room has been activated at the Indian Consulate in Jeddah with toll-free helpline: 8002440003.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed officials to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Saudi Embassy. A state control room is operational at the Secretariat with helplines: 79979 59754 and 99129 19545. IT Minister D Sridhar Babu noted that at least 16 victims are from Hyderabad’s Mallepalli Bazarghat area. The Telangana Haj Committee has also set up a helpline at Haj House.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, in contact with travel agencies and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, urged the government to repatriate bodies and ensure medical care for any injured. He shared passenger details with Deputy Chief of Mission Abu Mathen George for faster verification.
Viral Images and Ongoing Verification
Graphic videos and photos of the burning bus have gone viral on social media, showing the wreckage engulfed in flames. Saudi media confirmed the collision involved a bus carrying Indian pilgrims. The travel agency and Ministry of Haj and Umrah are assisting in identification. Families in Hyderabad are in shock, gathering at agencies for updates.
This tragedy underscores road safety concerns during pilgrimages. Indian authorities promise full support, including body repatriation and compensation discussions. Updates on survivor details and final casualty count are awaited.
