45 Indian Umrah pilgrims killed in Saudi bus crash

At least 45 people, most of them from Hyderabad, were killed after a bus they were travelling in rammed into a diesel tanker and caught fire in Saudi Arabia, the city police chief said on Monday (November 17), citing preliminary information.

Addressing reporters, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC 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 Medina on Sunday, while another four stayed back in Mecca, he said.

According to the police commissioner, 46 people were travelling in the bus, which collided with an oil tanker about 25 km from Medina around 1.30 am IST. Only one person survived the accident and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital."We are getting information that 45 people died. They were supposed to return to Hyderabad on 23rd (of November)," he added.

Tafseer Iqubal, Joint Commissioner of Police, quoting preliminary information, said out of the 46 who were in the bus, 43 are from Hyderabad limits, 2 from Cyberabad and one has the address of Hubli in Karnataka. The police official further said there were 18 men and an equal number of women and 10 children in the ill-fated bus.

The Hyderabad pilgrims were part of an Umrah package arranged through local travel agencies. The Telangana government has announced state-level support for the families of the deceased.

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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India and the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia are coordinating the transport of bodies and treatment of the injured. Authorities say further details, including names and other information, will be released soon. Identification of the bodies and DNA tests are underway.

Pilgrims' families seek support

The Telangana government has decided to provide ₹5 lakh compensation to the families of those who died. It has also been decided to send a government delegation to Saudi Arabia immediately. The delegation will have Telangana Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammad Azharuddin, an MLA, and an official from the Minority Welfare Department.

Azharuddin said the bodies are understood to be charred beyond recognition. The pilgrims used the services of four different travel agents, he said.

He said the state government has pledged to help the family members of the victims travel to Saudi Arabia, including facilitating passports and visas. One person from each family would be sent, the minister said.

Mufti Asif, a resident of Hyderabad, said seven members of his family travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. He confirmed receiving photos of the accident and urged the Telangana government to facilitate his travel to Saudi Arabia to take care of his family members.

Mohammad Salman, another city resident, whose six family members were in the bus, said his last contact with them indicated that they two hours away from Medina before all communication ceased.

According to Mohammad Burhan, another city resident, the sole survivor, Shoaib managed to escape by jumping out of the bus after breaking the window, sustaining burns to his hands in the process. Burhan said he called AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and informed him about the incident.

Modi says consulate providing help

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply saddened" by the accident involving Indian nationals. "My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones," Modi said in a post on X. "I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured," he said.

The prime minister said the Indian embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah were providing all possible assistance and officials were in close contact with Saudi Arabian authorities.

Telangana CM expresses shock

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has expressed shock over the bus accident. He has directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to immediately gather complete details of the incident, including the number of victims from Telangana.

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The Telangana CMO said a control room has been set up at the state secretariat to monitor updates and facilitate communication with families of the pilgrims.

"In view of a tragic bus accident near Medina, Saudi Arabia, involving Indian Umrah pilgrims, a 24x7 Control Room has been set up in the Consulate General of India, Jeddah. The contact details of the Helpline are as under: Toll-free number- 8002440003," stated the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia in a post on X.

What Jaishankar said

Taking to social media platform X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Indian embassy in Jeddah was extending full support to families of the victims.

"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," he added.

Helpline numbers released

The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has released helpline numbers following the incident. "In light of a tragic bus accident late last night involving Umrah pilgrims, near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, a 24x7 Control Room has been set up in Consulate General of India, Jeddah. The contact details of the Helpline are as under: 8002440003 (Toll free), 00966122614093, 00966126614276, 00966556122301 (WhatsApp). We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families," stated a release issued by the Embassy.

It further stated that the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are also in touch with Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry, and other local authorities as well as with the concerned Umrah operators.

"Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are extending fullest support. Officials of the Embassy and the Consulate are also in touch with the concerned officials of the State of Telangana to coordinate with the concerned families," it added.

Owaisi reacts

Reacting to the incident, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said, "...Forty-two Hajj pilgrims who were travelling from Mecca to Medina were on a bus that caught fire...I spoke to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, and he assured me that they are gathering information about the matter. I have contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared the passengers’ details with the Riyadh Embassy and the Foreign Secretary. I request the Union Government, especially EAM Dr S. Jaishankar, to bring the bodies back to India and, if anyone is injured, ensure that they receive proper medical treatment.”

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said he was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the accident. "My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," Rijiju said in a post on X.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condoled the deaths and urged the Centre to closely coordinate with state authorities to provide succour to the families of the deceased.

Kharge said he has instructed the Telangana chief minister to provide all possible assistance to the families of the victims, and is closely monitoring the situation.

(With agency inputs)