Deadly Bus Fire Claims 45 Indian Umrah Pilgrims Near Holy City
A devastating bus accident near Madinah Al Munawarrah in Saudi Arabia has resulted in the tragic deaths of 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims, marking one of the deadliest road incidents on this route in recent years. The catastrophe occurred on Sunday, November 16, 2025, when a bus carrying pilgrims collided with a fuel tanker, triggering a massive fire that engulfed the vehicle.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The bus was transporting pilgrims from Mecca toward Madinah when the collision occurred. Emergency responders immediately rushed to the scene, where they faced the grim task of recovering bodies and evacuating survivors. According to preliminary reports from Saudi authorities, only one survivor was found and is currently receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed that the majority of victims were from the Indian state of Telangana. He revealed that 54 pilgrims had originally departed from Hyderabad for Jeddah on November 9, with their return to India scheduled for November 23. Tragically, 46 of these pilgrims were aboard the ill-fated bus at the time of the accident.
National Leaders Express Condolences
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in mourning, expressing his profound grief through a social media post. "My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured," the Prime Minister stated.
The message of condolence was echoed by other prominent Indian leaders including:
- Vice President CP Radhakrishnan
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar
- Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that Indian officials are closely coordinating with Saudi authorities to provide comprehensive support to survivors and assist the families of those who perished in the tragedy.
Emergency Response and Support Systems
In response to the catastrophe, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah has established a 24-hour control room accessible via telephone number 8002440003. Additional helplines have been set up in India for families seeking information: +91 7997959754 and +91 9912919545.
Telangana Minister Mohammed Azharuddin described the incident as a "painful moment for the state" and announced that authorities are working to ensure that at least one family representative for each victim would be able to travel to Saudi Arabia. Arrangements are also underway to transport the remains back to India once formal procedures are completed by Saudi authorities.
As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, online platforms have been flooded with messages of condolence and support for the affected families. The Saudi government is expected to release a final report detailing the exact circumstances that led to this heartbreaking tragedy.
