Saudi Arabia bus crash: 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims dead, 1 survived

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

Casualties – At least 42 Indian pilgrims are feared dead.

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

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

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

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.

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

Leaders 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.

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.

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

A relative of four of a family who died in the Saudi Arabia bus accident earlier on Monday said that they were informed by someone abroad about the incident and are trying to gather all possible details.

Muhammad Mansuf, the victims' relative told ANI, "Someone from there called us to inform us about what happened... Four members of my family - my elder brother Muhammad Manzoor, my mother Shohrat Begum, my sister-in-law Farheen Begum, and my niece Shaheen. We wanted to gather all the information as quickly as possible, and arrangements should also be made for us to go there."

The Telangana government has decided to pay compensation of Rs5 lakh (Rs500,000) each to the families of 45 Umrah pilgrims from the state who died in a bus accident in Saudi Arabia.

The decision was taken in the meeting of the State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday.

It was also decided to send a delegation of government representatives, headed by Minister for Minorities Welfare Mohammed Azharuddin, to Saudi Arabia. The delegation will also include an MLA of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and a senior official of the minorities welfare department.

According to an official statement, the Cabinet also decided that the last rites of those who died in the accident be performed as per their religious traditions in Saudi Arabia.

The Cabinet also decided to make arrangements to send at least two members from the families of the deceased to Saudi Arabia.

Telangana Minister for Public Enterprises and Minority Welfare, Mohammed Azharuddin expressed grief, calling the bus accident in Saudi Arabia killing several Indian pilgrims, "unfortunate."

Azharuddin told ANI that he is monitoring the situation and the government will ensure that at least one family member of the victims is sent to Saudi Arabia.

He said, "The incident is very unfortunate and sad. Many people died after a bus carrying them collided with an oil tanker. I have received information that the bodies have also charred beyond recognition. The government has also issued a helpline number, and we are extending full help."

"One family lost 18 people, so you can imagine the extent of grief. I am also personally monitoring the situation. We are ensuring that at least one family member of the victims is sent to Saudi Arabia if they want to, or we are in talks to bring the bodies back," Azharuddin added.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and urged the Centre to engage with the Saudi government to obtain complete information about the accident.

"This heart-wrenching accident that occurred in Saudi Arabia is truly shocking. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the 42 Indians who lost their lives in this incident. The Government of India should immediately engage with the Saudi government to obtain complete information about all the deceased and injured and ensure that every possible assistance reaches their families. At such a time, every step taken by the government must be swift, sensitive, and responsible," Kejriwal wrote in an X post.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy have expressed grief over the tragic bus accident.

"I'm deeply saddened to hear about the tragic accident in Saudi Arabia that took the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters from Telangana who were on the holy Umrah pilgrimage. May their souls rest in peace, and may the bereaved families find strength and solace in this difficult time," Chief Minister Naidu posted on X.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said it was heartbreaking that 45 Indians lost their lives in a horrific road accident near Madinah in Saudi Arabia. "It is reported that the majority of the deceased were Muslim pilgrims from Hyderabad. Expressing condolences for their demise, I convey my deepest sympathies to the family members," he said.

At the Hajj House in Nampally, grief weighed heavily on families awaiting news of loved ones killed in the Saudi bus accident. Clutching documents and photographs, relatives struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.

Among them, Syed from Ramnagar expressed his heartbreak, while speaking to The Hindu: “I told them not to go together. Not to take all the children; at least some members of the family would have survived.” In a single night, 18 members of his family across three generations—including his elder sister, her children, and grandchildren—lost their lives. Nine of the victims were children.

The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi on Monday expressed deep sorrow over death of Indian pilgrims, extending condolences to the people of India.

In a statement shared on X, Iran Embassy in India stated, "The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi expresses its deep sorrow over the tragic loss of Indian pilgrims in Madinah and extends its heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of India. The Embassy conveys its sincere sympathy to the bereaved families, praying to the Almighty for eternal peace and mercy for the deceased and patience and strength for their loved ones."

Indian lawmaker to travel to Saudi Arabia to assist victims' families
Nampally MLA Mohammed Majid Hussain told The Hindu that he will be leaving for Saudi Arabia, as part of his party’s efforts, to support the families of those affected. Many of the victims were residents of Nampally, Hyderabad.

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule on Monday condoled the loss of lives in the Saudi Arabia bus accident, while wishing for the speedy return and recovery of the injured.

"I saw the statement of EAM Dr S Jaishankar, him, along with his department, the MEA is closely monitoring the situation and following it up. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and also hope that the people who went there come back quickly," Sule told ANI.

All the victims were from Hyderabad. At least 16 people from Mallepally’s Bazaar Ghat are among those who died. The deceased from Bazaar Ghat have been identified as Rahimunnisa, Rahmat Bi, Shehnaaz Begum, Ghausia Begum, Qadir Mohammad, Mohammad Maulana, Shoaib Mohammad, Sohail Mohammad, Mastan Mohammad, Parveen Mohammad, Zakia Mohammad, Shaukat Mohammad, Farheen Mohammad, Zaheen Mohammad, Mohammad Sanjeev and Mohammad Ali.

Complete list of all 45 bus passengers:

1. Irfan Ahmed – M

2. Humera Nazneen – F

3. Sabiha Sultana – F

4. Ahmed Hamdan – M

5. Ahmed Izan – M

6. Shaik Naseeruddin – M

7. Fatima Umaiza – F

8. Maryam Fatima – F

9. Shaik Zan Uddin – M

10. Fatima Mehrish – F

11. Shazan Ahmed Mohammed – M

12. Rida Tazeen – F

13. Shaik Uzairuddin – M

14. Akther Begum – F

15. Anees Fatima – F

16. Ameena Begum – F

17. Sara Begum – F

18. Khan Saleem – M

19. Shabana Begum – F

20. Syed Huzaifa Jaffar – M

21. Rizwana Begum – F

22. Shaik Salauddin – M

23. Farana Sultana – F

24. Tasmia Tahreen – F

25. Sultana Sana – F

26. Mohammed Abdul Khadeer – M

27. Ghousiya Begum – F

28. Begum Shenaaz – F

29. Mohammed Ali – M

30. Rahmatheb – M

31. Raheem Unnisa – F

32. Ur Rahman Mohammed Shoaib – M

33. Rayees Begum – F

34. Begum Shahjehan – F

35. Al Amoudi Sara Mahmood – F

36. Mohammed Manzoor – M

37. Zaheen Begum – F

38. Farheen Begum – F

39. Begum Shoukat – F

40. Begum Zakiya – F

41. Parveen Begum – F

42. Mohammed Mastan – M

43. Mohammed Sohail – M

44. Mohammed Moulana –M

45. Abdul Gani Ahmed Saheer Shirahatti – M

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar provided details on the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia, which claimed at least 45 lives, most of them from Hyderabad. He said 54 people had travelled from the city to Jeddah on November 9, with plans to return on November 23.

Of the 54, four travelled separately by car to Madinah on Sunday, while another four remained in Makkah. The remaining 46 were on the bus that collided with an oil tanker about 25 km from Madinah. Only one passenger survived and is currently receiving treatment in hospital.

"We are getting information that 45 people died. They were supposed to return to Hyderabad on 23rd (of November)," Sajjanar confirmed.

On the Saudi Arabia bus accident involving Indian pilgrims, Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar stated, “Forty-five people have died, and there is only one survivor, who is currently in hospital.”

Following the bus tragedy in Saudi Arabia, Indian community volunteers have been active at hospitals, providing support to those affected. The Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah confirmed that they are coordinating with the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry, local authorities, and the relevant Umrah operators. Officials also said they are working closely with the Telangana government to assist the families of the victims.

Dozens of distressed relatives gathered at a Hyderabad travel agency after learning about a road accident in Saudi Arabia involving Indian citizens.

NDTV reported that over 40 people, mostly from Hyderabad, died when a bus carrying pilgrims from Mecca to Medina caught fire after colliding with a diesel tanker near Mufrihat early Monday.

The Congress party expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident near Medinah, Saudi Arabia, which claimed the lives of several Indian nationals. Extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the party affirmed its solidarity with them during this difficult time. It also urged the Government of India to provide all necessary assistance to those affected and offered prayers for the speedy and full recovery of the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragic bus accident involving Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. He extended his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance.

The Prime Minister also stated that Indian officials are in close contact with Saudi authorities and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.

A control room has been established at Telangana Bhavan, New Delhi, following the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia. Senior officials at Telangana Bhavan are in constant contact with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to gather accurate information about the incident. Efforts are ongoing to verify the full details of the crash and confirm how many pilgrims from Telangana were affected.

Telangana Bhavan control room contact numbers:

• Smt. Vandhana, PS to Resident Commissioner & Liaison Head: +91 98719 99044

• Sri Ch. Chakravarthi, Public Relations Officer: +91 99583 22143

• Sri Rakshith Nail, Liaison Officer: +91 96437 23157

Following the accident, the Consulate of India in Jeddah set up a round-the-clock control room. Families can reach the helpline on the toll-free number 8002440003.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he was deeply shocked by the tragedy. He confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are providing full support to affected nationals and their families. He also extended condolences to the bereaved and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The Telangana government said it is coordinating closely with Indian officials in Riyadh. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has instructed authorities in New Delhi to work with embassy teams and gather complete details.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said 42 Umrah pilgrims were on the bus when it caught fire. He added that he is in touch with Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, who assured him that information from the site is being compiled. Owaisi urged the central government to repatriate the bodies and ensure proper medical care for survivors.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident, noting that several victims may be from Hyderabad. He instructed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to gather full information and coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi Embassy. He also stressed the need for immediate relief measures where necessary.

A control room has been established at the Telangana Secretariat for assistance.

Helpline numbers: +91 79979 59754, +91 99129 19545

In Hyderabad, families of the pilgrims are anxiously awaiting information, reaching out to travel operators and authorities in hopes of news. What began as a sacred pilgrimage has ended in devastating uncertainty for many.

Saudi Civil Defence and police arrived at the scene promptly, while Indian officials and Umrah agency representatives travelled to the site to assist with recovery and provide updates to families in India.

The crash occurred around 1:30am IST near Muhras/Mufrihat, about 160km from Madinah. Many passengers were reportedly asleep, leaving them little chance to escape when the bus burst into flames after impact.

Rescue teams said the bus was completely gutted, making identification of victims extremely difficult. One person is believed to have survived, though their condition remains unknown.

Following the accident, the Consulate of India in Jeddah set up a round-the-clock control room. Families can reach the helpline on the toll-free number 8002440003.

A spiritual journey turned tragic early Monday when a bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims from Makkah to Madinah collided with a diesel tanker, triggering a massive fire, according to media reports.

At least 42 people are feared dead, with initial reports suggesting many passengers were women and children from Hyderabad. Unofficial sources indicate that 11 women and 10 children may be among the victims, though authorities are still verifying the numbers.