Saudi Arabia Bus Crash Highlights: 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims dead, one survived; PM Modi expresses condolences

Out of the 46 passengers, 45 died after the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. Only one individual, Md Abdul Shoaib, survived. He is admitted to a Saudi hospital ICU and remains in critical condition.

The Police said a group of 46 people was travelling from Makkah to Madinah when their bus collided with an oil tanker nearly 25 km before Medina, causing an explosion that engulfed the vehicle within minutes.

Telangana Government has announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh each to the families of each of the deceased.

Former Minister AM Hindasgeri said that a resident of Karnataka's Hubbali, who went to perform Umrah (Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca), "unfortunately lost his life" in a tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia in which 46 Indian pilgrims lost their lives.

The deceased has been identified as Abdul Ghani Shirhatti, a resident of Ganeshpeth in Hubbali.

In a post on X, President Droupadi Murmu said, “Extremely sad to know about the unfortunate loss of lives of many Indian nationals in a tragic bus accident in Medinah, Saudi Arabia. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured.”

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge wrote in a post on X, “Deeply saddened by the heart-wrenching tragedy near Medinah, Saudi Arabia involving several Indian nationals. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. The Union Government, through the @MEAIndia should closely coordinate with state authorities and the families of the victims here in India to provide succour and relief, in this difficult time. I have instructed the Chief Minister of Telangana to provide all possible assistance to the families of the victims here, and he is closely monitoring the situation.”

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday expressed grief over the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the deaths of many Umrah pilgrims from neighbouring Telangana. The bus travelling from Makkah to Madinah collided with a tanker and caught fire.

In a post on X, Naidu said, "I'm deeply saddened to hear about the tragic accident in Saudi Arabia that took the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters from Telangana who were on the holy Umrah pilgrimage."

Bus accident in Saudi Arabia | Muhammad Mansuf, victims' family member, says, "Someone from there called us to inform us about what happened... Four members of my family - my elder brother Muhammad Manzoor, my mother Shohrat Begum, my sister-in-law Farheen Begum, and my niece Shaheen. We wanted to gather all the information as quickly as possible, and arrangements should also be made for us to go there..." (ANI)

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday expressed grief over the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the deaths of many Umrah pilgrims from neighbouring Telangana. The bus travelling from Makkah to Madinah collided with a tanker and caught fire.

In a post on X, Naidu said, "I'm deeply saddened to hear about the tragic accident in Saudi Arabia that took the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters from Telangana who were on the holy Umrah pilgrimage."

On the bus accident in Saudi Arabia, Telangana Waqf Board Chairman, Syed Azmathullah Hussaini says, "Last night, the pilgrims belonging to Telangana, who were coming to Madinah after completing their Umrah from Makkah, became victims of an accident 25 km before Medina in Mufrihat. It happened when a bus carrying 45 pilgrims collided with an oil tanker. As per the information, about 42 people are said to have died in it, and a child is injured and is undergoing treatment. As per the instructions of the government and Revanth Reddy, we are in touch with the authorities there... There are 18 people from one family in Ramnagar, and 16 members of another family living in Old City are involved in this. We will share the remaining information once it is available."

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge wrote in a post on X, “Deeply saddened by the heart-wrenching tragedy near Medinah, Saudi Arabia involving several Indian nationals. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. The Union Government, through the @MEAIndia should closely coordinate with state authorities and the families of the victims here in India to provide succour and relief, in this difficult time. I have instructed the Chief Minister of Telangana to provide all possible assistance to the families of the victims here, and he is closely monitoring the situation.”

On the bus accident in Saudi Arabia, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, "...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.”

On the bus accident in Saudi Arabia, Telangana Waqf Board Chairman, Syed Azmathullah Hussaini says, "Last night, the pilgrims belonging to Telangana, who were coming to Madinah after completing their Umrah from Makkah, became victims of an accident 25 km before Medina in Mufrihat. It happened when a bus carrying 45 pilgrims collided with an oil tanker. As per the information, about 42 people are said to have died in it, and a child is injured and is undergoing treatment. As per the instructions of the government and Revanth Reddy, we are in touch with the authorities there... There are 18 people from one family in Ramnagar, and 16 members of another family living in Old City are involved in this. We will share the remaining information once it is available."

Dozens of Indian pilgrims, mostly from a southern state, are feared dead after a bus collision on Monday near the holy city of Medina in Saudi Arabia, Indian officials said.

The bus with 46 people onboard was travelling from Mecca to Medina when it collided with a diesel tanker on a highway, Gaurav Uppal, a senior official of Telangana state, told The Associated Press. (AP)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday condoled the death of Indian Umrah pilgrims in a bus accident in Saudi Arabia's Medinah.

Expressing deep shock over the tragic bus accident , he said on 'X', "my deepest condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief."

"I hope the injured pilgrim receives full medical care and recovers soon."

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami too condoled the demise and said he was anguished over the death of Indians in the bus accident. (PTI)

The helpline numbers issued by Tamil Nadu govt are +91 79979 59754 +91 99129 19545

“Chief Minister has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic accident involving a bus carrying Indian pilgrims in Medina, Saudi Arabia early this morning. He has extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Omar Abdullah's office said on X.

Rajnath Singh said on X, “Saddened by the tragic accident involving a bus carrying Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. My condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. Indian officials are in close coordination with the Saudi authorities to ensure the injured receive proper care and that every possible support reaches the affected families in this hour of grief.”

As per PTI, Mufti Asif said, “I am a resident of Hyderabad. The pilgrims included around 45–46 people, and the bus met with an accident before reaching Medina. This is all the information we have received so far. Seven of my family members were on that bus. We request the government to facilitate visas for the family members so that we can go there."

“Forty-five people have died, and there is only one survivor who is currently in the hospital,” Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said, according to PTI.

“All Indians affected there should be able to return safely. Our consulate, the embassy, and the central government are working with full alertness. My prayer is that everyone returns safely, and I will continue to pray for that,” PTI quoted BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi as saying.

The Saudi Arabia bus crash involving Indian nationals reportedly took place at 1:20 am (IST) today.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) took to X and said, “The tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia, in which several pilgrims from Hyderabad lost their lives, is extremely saddening. We express our deepest condolences to their families. We request the State Government to immediately take steps to ensure the best possible medical treatment for those injured in the accident.”

He added, “Reports indicate that most of the deceased are from Hyderabad and hence we request the State Government to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and intensify the relief measures. The Government must also stand by the families of those who died unexpectedly in this accident by identifying the victims and extending all possible support to their families.”

“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. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with Saudi Arabian authorities,” PM Modi said.

According to ANI, Nampally MLA Mohammad Majid Hussain said, "A very unfortunate accident took place in Saudi Arabia in which many people died in a bus accident. We are in touch with the authorities and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi is in touch with the Consulate General of India, Jeddah...I am in touch with the bereaved families..."

“Seven members from my family went to Saudi Arabia...They went to Saudi Arabia last week...We request the Union Government to bring the bodies to India...They were travelling to Medinah from Mecca..”Mohammed Tehseen, a resident of Hyderabad said, according to ANI.

“Deeply saddened by the heart-wrenching tragedy near Medinah, Saudi Arabia involving several Indian nationals. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured,” Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said.

“The Union Government, through the @MEAIndia should closely coordinate with state authorities and the families of the victims here in India to provide succour and relief, in this difficult time,” he added.

The Congress chief also said he had instructed CM Reddy to provide all possible assistance to families of those affected.

“I'm shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic bus accident on the Medina–Mecca highway in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of Indian pilgrims,” Rijiju said.

“We are in touch with our Embassy officials who are gathering more details & extending all possible assistance. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for strength in this difficult time,” he added.

The Indian Consulate in Jeddah said that both its staff and volunteers from the Indian community had gathered at various hospitals and sites to help.

Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah in touch with Saudi Hajj and Umrah ministries, local authorities, the Consulate General said in press release.

They are also in touch with Umrah operators, the release added.

“The Embassy expresses deep condolences on the tragic bus accident involving Indian Umrah pilgrims near Madinah, Saudi Arabia,” the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia said.

“The Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate General in Jeddah are extending all assistance in the matter,” it added.

Telangana Chief Secretary, A Santhi Kumari, has alerted Resident Commissioner Gaurav Uppal in New Delhi, directing him to immediately gather details on how many passengers from Telangana were on the bus and ensure timely support, reported news agency ANi.

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“Deeply shocked at the accident involving Indian nationals in Medinah, Saudi Arabia,” Jaishankar wrote on X.

“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.

“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," Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said, according to ANI.

"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,” he added.

Reddy's office took to X and said, “A control room has been set up at the Secretariat to monitor details and relief measures regarding this incident on an ongoing basis, to provide information to the families and relatives. Control Room Numbers: +91 79979 59754 +91 99129 19545”