WORLD NEWS

At Least 42 Indian Umrah Pilgrims Killed in Bus-Tanker Collision Near Medina

Tragedy in Saudi Arabia: At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims, mostly from Hyderabad, die as their bus collides with a diesel tanker near Medina. Indian authorities coordinating with Riyadh for assistance.
2025-11-17
At Least 42 Indian Umrah Pilgrims Killed in Bus-Tanker Collision Near Medina

At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims were killed early Monday in a devastating collision between their bus and a diesel tanker near Medina, Saudi Arabia, according to local media reports. Some of the victims were reportedly residents of Hyderabad.

The incident occurred around 1:30 am near Mufrihat while most passengers were asleep, severely reducing their chances of survival when the bus caught fire. Rescue teams described the scene as horrific, noting that the bus was completely burnt, making identification of the victims extremely difficult. Authorities reported one survivor, though his condition remains unclear.

Indian Government Response

The Telangana government confirmed it is in close contact with the Indian embassy in Riyadh. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy directed officials in New Delhi to coordinate with the embassy to resolve the matter swiftly.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi expressed grief over the tragedy and called on the central government to take immediate action. He stated that he had contacted the embassy's deputy chief, Abu Mathan George, who is gathering information on the incident. Owaisi also coordinated with travel agencies in Hyderabad and provided detailed passenger lists to the embassy and the Indian foreign secretary.

Owaisi urged External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to intervene immediately to ensure that the bodies of the deceased are repatriated to India and that the injured receive proper medical care.

Background and Impact

The accident underscores the risks faced by pilgrims traveling for religious purposes. Authorities from both India and Saudi Arabia are expected to conduct investigations into the collision. Families of the victims are awaiting information and support from officials to manage the aftermath of the tragedy.

This incident has prompted an urgent response from Indian diplomatic and state authorities to provide relief, repatriate the deceased, and support the affected families.