Tragic Saudi Arabia Bus Accident Kills 42 Indian Umrah Pilgrims Near Medina

Hyderabad[India] November 17:The news of the Saudi Arabia bus accident spread fast on early Monday. Local channels in Medina have shared that the bus carrying Umrah pilgrims caught fire. This happened after it hit a diesel tanker on the road. People were trapped inside the burning bus. Many could not escape. Early reports getting viral said that at least 42 Indian pilgrims were feared dead. Officials also said that many were from Hyderabad. The scene was heartbreaking. The accident site is known for heavy traffic during prayer days. As per reports, the crash occurred around 1:30 am IST (Indian Standard Time) when the bus was traveling from Mecca to Medina.

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Pilgrims From Hyderabad On The Route To Medina

The pilgrims had started their journey from Hyderabad on 9 November. They had completed their Umrah prayers in Mecca and were returning to Medina. They had booked their trip through two known travel companies. Families said that the group was excited to visit holy places. Many of the victims were from Bazarghat in Mallepalli. This area has a long history of people travelling for Umrah every year. A relative said the group was tired but happy after their prayers. The return journey turned into a tragic one.

Government Response And First Updates From Riyadh

External affairs minister S Jaishankar expressed deep shock after he heard about the Saudi Arabia bus accident. He said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were helping every family. He sent his prayers for fast recovery of the injured. The Telangana government also reacted quickly. The state information technology minister confirmed that 16 victims from Hyderabad were identified. Officials were told to stay in touch with Saudi authorities. The Indian Embassy shared a 24x7 helpline number for all families waiting for news.

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Telangana Sets Up Control Room For Families

The Telangana chief minister called it a horrific accident and asked senior officers to take immediate action. The chief secretary contacted the Resident Commissioner in Delhi to collect confirmed names of the passengers. A control room was set up in the Secretariat. This was done so families could call and know what was happening. Hyderabad has a long history of sending many pilgrims to Saudi Arabia every season. Officials remembered earlier incidents where quick coordination saved lives. This time, they hoped to bring clear details soon.

Leaders And Families Demand Fast Action

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi also asked the Centre to act fast. He spoke to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and shared the passenger list. He asked the government to bring back the bodies with respect. He also said that injured pilgrims should get full medical care. Families in Hyderabad waited outside travel agency offices hoping for confirmed details. Many said they had spoken to their relatives only a day earlier. The news of the Saudi Arabia bus accident left them shaken. They prayed for strength as they waited for updates.

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