Hyderabad / Riyadh:
A tragic bus accident near Medina, Saudi Arabia, claimed the lives of 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims, with only one passenger surviving, Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand (or VC Sajjanar as per updated sources) confirmed on Sunday.
The pilgrims were returning from Makkah to Medina when their bus collided with a diesel tanker, resulting in a massive fire that engulfed the entire vehicle within moments. Most passengers could not escape due to the intensity of the blaze.
Travel Details
- A total of 54 pilgrims from Hyderabad had travelled to Jeddah for Umrah on 9 November.
- 46 were onboard the bus at the time of the accident.
- The crash took place around 25 km before reaching Medina.
Only One Survivor in ICU
The lone survivor has been identified as Md Abdul Shoaib, who suffered serious injuries and is currently admitted to the ICU of a Saudi hospital. Officials said he is undergoing critical care and remains under medical supervision.
Indian Government in Coordination
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are closely coordinating with Saudi authorities for:
- Identification of bodies
- Medical care for the survivor
- Assistance to affected families
- Repatriation of remains to India
A control room has been set up in Hyderabad to support and inform families awaiting updates.
Shock and Grief Among Families
News of the tragedy has left families in Hyderabad and surrounding regions devastated. Many had been unable to contact their relatives and were anxiously waiting for confirmation.
State authorities have assured full support, including documentation, communication, and repatriation assistance.