At least 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims have died in a devastating bus accident near Medinah after their vehicle collided with a diesel tanker and caught fire in the early hours of Friday. Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed that 46 pilgrims were on the bus, and only one person survived the blaze.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the tragedy, saying he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of lives and assured that Indian officials in Saudi Arabia were providing every possible assistance.
“Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible support,” he wrote on X.
45 Indian pilgrims dead in Saudi Arabia bus blaze; one survivor under treatment
Initial reports from Saudi media had placed the death toll at 42, but authorities in Telangana have now confirmed 45 fatalities, most of them residents of Hyderabad who were on an Umrah pilgrimage.
According to officials, the bus was travelling from Makkah to Medinah when it crashed near Mufrihat, roughly 25 km from the city, around 1.30 am IST. Many passengers were reportedly asleep at the time, leaving them trapped as the vehicle erupted in flames.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner Sajjanar said a group of 54 people flew from Hyderabad to Jeddah on November 9.
Of them:
- 46 were on the ill-fated bus,
- 4 travelled separately to Medinah,
- 4 stayed back in Makkah,
- Only one from the bus survived the crash.
“They were scheduled to return to Hyderabad on November 23,” he added.
Telangana activates emergency helplines; CM monitors situation
The Telangana government has set up emergency control rooms and is coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to identify the deceased and assist families.
Emergency helpline numbers issued by the state:
- +91 79979 59754
- +91 99129 19545
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy instructed officials to maintain constant communication with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Saudi authorities, and the Indian missions handling the case. The state’s Resident Commissioner in Delhi has also been tasked with gathering verified details.
AIMIM MLA Majid Hussain said the party is in touch with families of the missing, adding, “We have information that over 40 people have died.”
Indian missions set up 24×7 support centres
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has activated round-the-clock helplines:
- 8002440003 (Toll-free)
- 0122614093
- 0126614276
- 0556122301
The consulate said its teams, along with the Embassy in Riyadh, were in touch with both Saudi authorities and the Telangana government to facilitate identification and repatriation.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar offered condolences and said officials were extending the “fullest support” to affected families.
Families seek bodies’ return; 16 victims linked to Hyderabad travel agencies
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said he had shared passenger details with the Indian Embassy and the Foreign Secretary after speaking with Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission in Riyadh.
He urged the Centre to ensure:
- swift repatriation of bodies
- proper treatment for the sole survivor
Reports indicate that around 16 victims were travelling through two Hyderabad-based agencies — Al-Meena Hajj and Umrah Travels.
Centre, Telangana and Indian missions continue coordination
State Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao has been instructed to work with MEA officials and Saudi authorities for identification, documentation and the repatriation process.
The final list of deceased passengers is expected after Saudi agencies complete verification.
The Indian government has also assured that it remains in constant contact with its Saudi counterparts as investigations and formalities continue.