Saudi Arabia bus crash: 45 dead, one survivor – what we know so far

A tragic bus fire near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, claimed the lives of 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad and Telangana, leaving only one survivor, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed. The pilgrims were travelling from Makkah to Madinah when their bus collided with an oil tanker about 25 km from Madinah, triggering an explosion that engulfed the vehicle within minutes. The rapid fire left passengers with little chance to escape.

Of the 54 pilgrims who had left Hyderabad for Jeddah on November 9, four travelled separately by car to Madinah and another four stayed in Makkah, leaving 46 on the bus. The sole survivor, Md Abdul Shoaib, is in critical condition in a Saudi hospital ICU.

Following the tragedy, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah has set up a 24x7 control room. Families can seek assistance via multiple numbers, including toll-free 8002440003, 00966122614093, 00966126614276, and WhatsApp at 00966556122301. Consulate staff and Indian community volunteers are on the ground at hospitals and accident sites to provide support and coordinate with authorities.

1. Tragic accident – A bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday.

2. Casualties – At least 42 Indian pilgrims are feared dead.

3. Lone survivor – Mohd Abdul Shoiab, 24, from Hyderabad, survived and is receiving treatment in hospital.

4. Passenger details – The group had travelled from Hyderabad to Jeddah on November 9; many victims are from Hyderabad, Telangana.

5. Bus occupancy – Of the 54 travellers, four went separately by car to Madinah, another four stayed in Makkah, leaving 46 on the bus.

6. Time and location – The crash occurred around 1:30 am IST near Mufrihat, about 25 km from Madinah, as the bus journeyed from Makkah after completing pilgrimage rituals.

7. Helpline numbers – The Indian Consulate in Jeddah set up a 24×7 control room; toll-free helpline: 8002440003.

8. National leadership response – Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed shock, offered condolences, and confirmed embassy and consulate support for families and the injured.

9. Telangana government action – Chief Minister Revanth Reddy instructed officials to coordinate with the MEA and Saudi authorities and established a control room in New Delhi for family assistance.

10. Families await news – Relatives in Hyderabad are anxiously seeking updates through authorities and travel operators.