At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims were feared dead after a passenger bus travelling from Mecca to Medina collided with a diesel tanker in Saudi Arabia early Monday, according to media reports.
The crash,
which occurred at nearly 1.30 am IST, reportedly caused the bus to catch fire while most passengers were asleep.
Visuals of the bus crash showed massive flames on the vehicle.
Preliminary information cited in media reports suggests that a majority of the victims were from Hyderabad, including several women and children.
Rescue operations were underway through the night, with locals rushing to the spot to assist those critically injured.
Media reports also suggest that more than 40 passengers may have died on the spot, though an official casualty count was awaited.
Later, the Indian Embassy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, said that a 24×7 control room has been set up to help with the incident.
It also shared the contact of a helpline number – 8002440003.
In view of a tragic bus accident near Madina, Saudi Arabia, involving Indian Umrah pilgirms, a 24×7 Control Room has been set up in Consulate General of India, Jeddah.
The contact details of the Helpline are as under:
Toll free number-
8002440003@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy…— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) November 17, 2025
Reacting to the tragedy, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, talking to reporters, said he had contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared passenger details with Indian authorities.
He also said that there may have been just one survivor on the bus. However, the same was not confirmed, he said.
“Forty-two Hajj pilgrims who were travelling from Mecca to Medina were on a bus that caught fire,” Owaisi said.
“I spoke to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, and he assured me that they are gathering information about the matter,” he added.
“I request the Union Government, especially External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, to bring the bodies back to India and, if anyone is injured, ensure that they receive proper medical treatment,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi | On the bus accident in Saudi Arabia, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, “…Forty-two Hajj pilgrims who were travelling from Mecca to Medina were on a bus that caught fire…I spoke to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Indian Embassy in… https://t.co/oiPCgAz4tZ pic.twitter.com/jTuf2kCZPf
— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2025
Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar, too, in an X post, expressed shock over the incident and confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah were giving full support to the affected nationals and families.
Deeply shocked at the accident involving Indian nationals in Medinah, Saudi Arabia.
Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident.
Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the…
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 17, 2025
BRS working president KT Rama Rao also expressed grief over the incident.
In an X post, he mentioned, “It is extremely heartbreaking that several passengers from Hyderabad have lost their lives in a horrific bus accident that occurred in Saudi Arabia. We extend our deepest condolences to their family members.”
“The state government should immediately take steps to ensure that those injured in the incident, where the bus collided with a diesel tanker while travelling from Mecca to Medina, receive better treatment,” he mentioned.
“In light of the information that most of the deceased were Hyderabadis, the state government should coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs to intensify relief measures. Likewise, the government should stand by the families of those who died in this unforeseen accident by identifying their details and providing support in every possible way,” KTR added.
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