Madinah, Saudi Arabia — A horrific road accident early Monday morning has reportedly claimed the lives of over 40 Indian Umrah pilgrims after the bus they were traveling in collided with a diesel tanker near Madinah. The majority of the victims are believed to be residents of Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana, India.

The Catastrophe Unfolds

The fatal incident occurred around 1:30 AM IST (approx. 11:00 PM local time, Sunday) at a location identified as Mufrihat, situated on the route between Mecca and Madinah.

• What Happened: The passenger bus, carrying Umrah pilgrims who had completed their rituals in Mecca and were en route to Madinah, reportedly crashed into a stationary or slow-moving diesel tanker.

• Cause of Fatalities: The collision was severe enough to cause the bus to catch fire immediately, leading to a high number of fatalities as most passengers were asleep at the time of the crash.

• Victim Count: Preliminary reports from local sources and the Telangana Haj Committee indicate that 42 pilgrims lost their lives. The bus was carrying approximately 46 passengers. There is believed to be at least one survivor undergoing treatment.

• Victim Demographics: Initial, unconfirmed details suggest the victims include a significant number of women and children, many hailing from Hyderabad.

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Official Response and Relief Measures

Authorities from both Saudi Arabia and India have mobilized to address the tragedy, provide assistance, and gather definitive information.

• Indian Consulate and Embassy: The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah are actively working with Saudi authorities.

  • A 24×7 Control Room has been activated by the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, to assist affected families.

  • Helpline Numbers (Jeddah): Toll-free: 8002440003 | Others: 0122614093, 0126614276 | WhatsApp: +966556122301

• Indian Government Reaction:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sadness, stating, “My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured.”

  • External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar conveyed his shock and assured the “fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident.”

• Telangana Government Response: Given the large number of victims from the state, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed senior officials to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi Embassy.

  • A dedicated Control Room has been established at the State Secretariat in Hyderabad and at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi to monitor details and assist the families.

  • Helpline Numbers (Telangana Control Room): +91 79979 59754, +91 99129 19545

• Political Outreach: Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has contacted the Indian Embassy and requested the central government to ensure the swift repatriation of the bodies and proper medical care for the injured survivor.

Challenges Ahead

The intensity of the fire has reportedly left the bus completely charred, posing a significant challenge to the identification of the victims, a task the authorities are currently undertaking. Efforts are also underway to officially confirm the passenger manifest and the exact number of pilgrims from Telangana.

This is a developing story, and updates from Saudi authorities and the Indian diplomatic mission are awaited as they continue to investigate the cause of the collision and manage the relief operations.