New Delhi / Medina: A catastrophic road accident in Saudi Arabia early Monday left 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims dead, with only one known survivor pulled from the wreckage. The group was travelling from Mecca to Medina when their bus collided with a diesel tanker, sparking a massive fire.
The sole survivor, 24-year-old Mohd Abdul Shoiab, a resident of Hyderabad, was seated close to the driver—an area that appears to have absorbed less impact during the collision. He has been admitted to a hospital in Saudi Arabia, though reports indicate his condition remains uncertain.
The crash occurred around 1:30 am IST, when the bus, carrying an estimated 46 passengers, rammed into the fuel tanker. The force of the collision is believed to have caused the tanker to ignite, engulfing the bus in flames and making rescue efforts extremely challenging.
In the aftermath, the Indian Consulate in Jeddah set up an emergency control room to coordinate information and assistance for families. Officials are working with Saudi authorities to identify victims, facilitate medical care for the injured, and arrange further support.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, currently on an official visit to Russia, expressed “deep shock” at the tragedy. He said Indian missions in Riyadh and Jeddah are extending “fullest support” to those affected and offered condolences to grieving families.
In India, the news prompted immediate action from the Telangana government after reports emerged that several victims were from Hyderabad. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy instructed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to obtain detailed information and stay in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi Embassy.
Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao subsequently contacted Coordination Secretary Gaurav Uppal in Delhi, issuing directives to expedite assistance measures. A dedicated control room has also been set up at the Telangana Secretariat to monitor developments, coordinate relief, and provide updates to families and relatives.
As efforts continue to ascertain the identities of all passengers and support survivors’ families, authorities in both countries are working closely to manage the aftermath of one of the deadliest accidents involving Indian pilgrims in recent years.
