45 MOSTLY INDIAN PILGRIMS KILLED IN SAUDI ARABIA BUS ACCIDENT

Mon 17 November 2025:

45 people were killed after a bus carrying Indian pilgrims met with an accident in Saudi Arabia, officials said Monday.

The incident occurred in Medina, and the bus was carrying Indian nationals, authorities said.

“Forty-five people have died, and there is only one survivor who is currently in the hospital,” V.C.Sajjanar, a top police officer in Southern Telangana state told reporters.

According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar, IPS, 45 of the 46 passengers onboard died on the spot, and only one survivor, identified as Md Abdul Shoaib, has been admitted to a hospital in critical condition after the bus collided with the tanker and caught fire approximately 25 km before Medina.

The group had a travel schedule from the 9th to the 23rd of this month. Out of the 54 pilgrims originally travelling, four had gone ahead in a separate car and another four had stayed back in Mecca, leaving 46 passengers on the bus at the time of the accident.

The passengers belonged to multiple travel groups, including Al Makkah (15 travellers), Baab Ul Harmain (21), Hafsa (5), and Mahmood Bhaijaan (4). Among the pilgrims, 28 are reported to be women and 17 men.

In response to the tragedy, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah issued an urgent press release announcing the activation of a 24×7 control room to assist families. The helpline numbers shared by the Consulate are: 8002440003 (Toll-free), 00966122614093, 00966126614276, and 00966556122301 (WhatsApp). The statement conveyed “deepest condolences to the bereaved families” and confirmed that the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are in close contact with the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah and local authorities.

Dozens of distressed relatives gathered at a Hyderabad travel agency after learning about the accident.

Speaking to the media in Hyderabad, Mohammed Tehseen, whose relatives were on the bus, said, “Seven members from my family went to Saudi Arabia. They travelled to Saudi Arabia last week. We request the Union Government to bring the bodies to India. They were travelling to Medinah from Mecca.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on the US social media company X that he was “deeply saddened” by the accident that took place in Medina.

“My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured,” he said.

Modi said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance.

“Our officials are also in close contact with Saudi Arabian authorities,” he added.

-Source: AA

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