Saudi Arabia bus crash: Lone Umrah survivor battles for life, brother rushes to support

A tragic bus accident near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, November 17, claimed the lives of 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad. Out of 46 people on board, only Mohammed Abdul Shoaib survived.

Shoaib, who had been travelling with seven members of his in-laws’ family, jumped out of the bus with the driver moments after the crash, his cousin told media.

Survivor loses parents in the crash

Mohammed Abdul Shoaib, 24, lost both his parents, Mohammed Khadeer and Ghousiya Begum, in the accident. His brother Mohammed Abdul Sameer, who had joined the family on the pilgrimage, stayed back in Makkah. Shoaib’s cousin, Mohammed Abdul Ahad, said Shoaib called Sameer from the hospital to recount how he survived. The family hails from Natrajnagar, Jhirra.

Family rushes to Saudi Arabia

Shoaib’s brother is travelling to Saudi Arabia to be with him. “My brother Mohammed Abdul Shoaib survived by the grace of Allah. We all happily bid him farewell when he left for Umrah… I keep thinking of him. I want to see him. I have submitted my passport at the Hajj Committee office — they said they would make arrangements for my travel,” his younger brother told The Federal Telangana, his voice trembling.

“Has my brother really come out of such a horrifying accident? How is he now?” he asked repeatedly, pacing anxiously around the Hajj Committee office in Hyderabad.

Shoaib’s cousin, Mohammed Abdul Ahad, said Shoaib called Sameer from the hospital to recount how he survived the crash. 

Consul General visits lone survivor

The Consul General of India in Jeddah, Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, visited Mohammed Abdul Shoaib, who is receiving treatment at a hospital in Madinah. Officials confirmed he is under the best possible medical care.

The Consulate General of India in Jeddah stated, “Concerned hospital authorities have informed that the best possible medical care is being provided to him. The consulate wishes him a speedy recovery.”

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed that 45 Indian pilgrims from Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana died in the accident. The group had been 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. 

How the accident unfolded

The pilgrims were travelling from Makkah to Madinah when their bus collided with a diesel tanker about 25 km from Madinah, causing an explosion that engulfed the vehicle within minutes. Shoaib, seated near the driver, reportedly broke open a window and jumped to safety.

Five members of a family from Mughalnagar, including Irfan Ahmed, his wife Humera Nazneen, their children Izaan and Hamdan, and Irfan’s mother Sabiha Sultana, were among the victims. Relatives have begun arrangements for the last rites in Saudi Arabia.

Victim details and pilgrimage schedule

Most of the victims were from Asif Nagar, Jhirra, Mehdipatnam, Vidyanagar, and Toli Chowki areas of Hyderabad. The pilgrims travelled through two local tour operators—Al Meena Tours and Travels (Mallepally) and Flyzone Tours and Travels (Mehdipatnam).

A total of 54 pilgrims had left Hyderabad on November 9 for Umrah. Of them, four travelled to Madinah separately, four remained in Makkah, and the remaining 46 boarded the bus involved in the crash.

Family anxiously waits in Hyderabad

Shoaib’s younger brother, waiting at the Hajj Committee office in Hyderabad, said, “My brother Mohammad Abdul Shoaib survived by the grace of Allah. We all happily bid him farewell when he left for Umrah… I keep thinking of him. I want to see him. I have submitted my passport at the Hajj Committee office — they said they would make arrangements for my travel.”

He continued anxiously, “Has my brother really come out of such a horrifying accident? How is he now?”

Consul General visits survivor

The Consul General of India in Jeddah, Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, visited Shoaib, who is undergoing treatment in the ICU of a Saudi hospital. Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said Shoaib has received severe burn injuries but is under the best possible medical care.

The Consulate General of India in Jeddah stated, “Concerned hospital authorities have informed that the best possible medical care is being provided to him. The consulate wishes him a speedy recovery.”

Family grief and last rites

One extended family from Vidyanagar lost 18 members, including grandparents, uncles, brothers, and children. Families have agreed to perform the last rites in Saudi Arabia, with the Telangana government arranging travel for two members of each deceased family.

Help lines for families

Following the accident, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah set up a 24x7 control room and provided multiple contact numbers, including 8002440003 (toll-free), 00966122614093, 00966126614276, and 00966556122301 (WhatsApp), urging families to reach out for immediate assistance.

The consulate expressed its “deepest condolences to the bereaved families” and said both the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are coordinating with the Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry, local authorities, and the concerned Umrah operators.