At least 45 people are feared to have died after a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker near Medina early Monday morning, in what authorities are describing as one of the deadliest road tragedies involving foreign pilgrims in recent years. According to local media reports from Saudi Arabia, as many as 42 of the victims were Indian nationals, a majority of them from Hyderabad in Telangana.
The devastating crash occurred around 1:30 am IST near Mufrihat, while the bus was travelling from Mecca to Medina. The group had reportedly completed their Umrah rituals in the holy city of Mecca and was en route to Medina when the accident took place. Initial reports suggest that many passengers were asleep at the time of the collision, leaving them little chance to escape once the vehicle erupted in flames.
According to Gulf News, the collision instantly engulfed the bus after it struck a diesel tanker, resulting in a massive fire that charred the vehicle almost entirely. Rescue teams arriving at the scene described the bus as “completely burned,” making the process of identifying victims extremely difficult. Authorities have indicated that at least 11 women and 10 children of may be among those Umrah pilgrims dead, though official confirmation is still underway.
Only one passenger—identified as Mohd Abdul Shoiab—is reported to have survived and is currently receiving treatment in a Saudi hospital. His condition remains unclear, as officials work to gather more information about his injuries and recovery prospects.
Families in Telangana Await News
In India, the state of Telangana has been plunged into grief as families of Umrah pilgrims await official confirmation of identities. With most passengers on board believed to be residents of Hyderabad and surrounding districts, state authorities have urgently begun coordinating with central government officials and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy instructed Telangana officials in New Delhi to work closely with embassy authorities for updates and assistance. A control room has been set up at the state secretariat to collect details of victims and support their families. The state government has also deployed the Resident Commissioner to liaise with Saudi officials and verify the number of Telangana residents affected.
To support families seeking information, the Telangana government issued emergency helpline numbers:
+91 7997959754 and +91 9912919545.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Jeddah has opened a 24×7 control room and issued a toll-free helpline number — 8002440003 — for any assistance required by families of the Umrah pilgrims victims.
National Leaders Express Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy of Umrah pilgrims, calling it “heartbreaking” in a post shared on X.
“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,” he wrote, adding that Indian officials in Saudi Arabia were offering all possible support.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also reacted to the news, saying he was “deeply shocked” by the scale of the disaster. He reaffirmed that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were working closely with local authorities to assist survivors and families. “Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he posted.
Local Leaders Urge Government Support
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said he had been informed that 42 Umrah pilgrims were onboard when the bus caught fire. He confirmed being in touch with Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, who assured him that officials were gathering details on casualties and survivors.
Owaisi further revealed that at least 16 of the Umrah pilgrims victims had travelled through Hyderabad-based agencies Al-Meena Hajj and Umrah Travels, and called on the central government to ensure the immediate repatriation of bodies and proper medical care for the injured. “This is a tragedy of unimaginable scale for several families in Hyderabad,” he said.
Identification Efforts Underway
Saudi rescue personnel and forensic teams continue to work at the accident site to identify remains, a process expected to be slow due to the extensive fire damage. Authorities have not yet released an official list of victims as they proceed with DNA matching and verification.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation, but early reports indicate that the impact with the tanker caused an explosive fire that consumed the bus within minutes.
As families of Umrah pilgrims in India wait for definitive information, both governments remain in constant coordination.
The tragedy has cast a deep shadow over the pilgrimage season and raised serious concerns about transport safety for Umrah pilgrims in the region.
