Deadly Crash Near Medina Leaves 42 Indian Umrah Pilgrims Feared Dead
A devastating road accident near Medina in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of at least 42 Umrah pilgrims, with many victims believed to be Indian nationals from Hyderabad. According to local Saudi media, the crash occurred when a bus carrying pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker, sparking a massive fire that left passengers trapped inside.
Several of the deceased are reportedly from Hyderabad’s Bazarghat area in Mallepalli, and authorities in India are now working urgently to identify the victims and assist their families.
Pilgrims Were Returning From Mecca When the Crash Happened
The group had departed Hyderabad on November 9 to perform Umrah. After completing their prayers in Mecca, they were travelling back to Medina when tragedy struck. According to a relative, the pilgrims had booked their trip through Al Meena and Al Mecca Travels in Nampally.
The collision caused an intense fire, leaving the bus completely charred. Early reports indicate that at least 16 victims were Hyderabad residents, though officials are still verifying the final list.
Telangana Government Steps In
Telangana information technology minister D Sridhar Babu confirmed that preliminary details suggest many victims were from Hyderabad. The state government has begun coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to gather accurate information.
Chief minister Revanth Reddy responded with urgency, instructing top state officials to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and Saudi authorities. The chief secretary has alerted the Telangana Resident Commissioner in Delhi and ordered the formation of a control room to help families seeking information.
India’s External Affairs Ministry Reacts
External affairs minister S Jaishankar expressed shock at the incident, calling it a “deeply distressing” tragedy. He said that both the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are providing full support to the affected families and monitoring the situation closely.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has also set up a 24×7 helpline to assist relatives of the pilgrims.
Toll-free number: 8002440003
Families across Hyderabad and Telangana have begun contacting the helpline as they wait for updates.
Hyderabad MP Calls for Immediate Government Action
AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has urged the Centre to act swiftly. He spoke to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, who assured him that officials are collecting details of the victims.
Owaisi also coordinated with the Hyderabad travel agencies involved and shared passenger lists with the Embassy and the Foreign Secretary. He appealed to the Union Government to ensure that the bodies of the deceased are brought back to India promptly and that injured survivors receive proper medical care in Saudi Arabia.
A Community in Shock
News of the tragedy has left the families of the pilgrims devastated. Many had sent their loved ones on what was meant to be a peaceful spiritual journey, only to receive heartbreaking news of their possible death in a horrific crash.
For now, families await clearer information as officials in both India and Saudi Arabia work to confirm identities and assess the full scale of the tragedy.
