At least 42 people died near Madinah after a bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker near Madinah. Local media confirmed the casualties and reported that many passengers belonged to Hyderabad, India. The tragedy has sparked concern among officials in India and Saudi Arabia.
The crash occurred at around 1:30 am near Mufrehat when the bus struck a diesel tanker. The impact caused a massive fire that engulfed the vehicle within minutes. Most passengers were asleep at the time, which left them with almost no chance to escape.
Indian Officials Begin Coordination Efforts
The government of India’s Telangana state said it had contacted the Indian embassy in Riyadh. A government statement said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy instructed officials in New Delhi to coordinate closely with embassy representatives. He directed them to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
Authorities have begun gathering information about the victims and survivors. They aim to support the families affected by the crash. Indian diplomats are also working with Saudi authorities to confirm identities and complete legal procedures.
Owaisi Calls for Immediate Federal Action
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said 42 pilgrims traveling from Makkah to Madinah lost their lives. He urged the central government to take immediate action in response to the tragedy. Owaisi said he had spoken to Abu Mathan George, the deputy chief of the Indian embassy, who assured him that officials were collecting details.
He also contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies to obtain passenger information for the embassy. Owaisi said he had shared the details with the Indian foreign secretary and urged swift humanitarian support. He further appealed to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to assist affected families without delay.
Rescuers Describe a Devastating Scene
Rescue teams described the crash site as horrific. They said the bus was completely burnt, which made identification extremely difficult. Reports say that one survivor was found, although the person’s condition remains unknown.
Authorities expect a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the collision. Families in India continue to wait for official confirmation of the victims’ names and the repatriation of remains.
