45 Umrah Pilgrims From Hyderabad Including 18 From A Family Killed In Bus Accident In Saudi Arabia's Madinah

Hyderabad: Forty-five Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad including 18 from a family in Telangana were killed after a bus carrying them collided with a diesel tanker near Madinah in Saudi Arabia early Sunday morning, officials said.

Among the deceased are 18 members of the family of retired railway employee Nasiruddin (65) from Nallakunta, Vidyanagar, Hyderabad. Nasiruddin, his wife, three daughters, sons, daughters-in-law and their children were killed in the mishap.

TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud went to Nasiruddin's house in Vidyanagar and consoled his relatives. MIM MLC Rahmat Baig also visited the relatives of the deceased.

A team of BRS minority leaders will visit Saudi Arabia to support the families of those who died in the bus accident. Party Working President KTR spoke to former Minister Mahmood Ali and several senior leaders over the phone and advised the leaders to go to Saudi. As per KTR's instructions, BRS minority leaders will leave for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner Sajjanar, among the 46 pilgrims on board, only a young man named Sohel survived the accident. The police stated that a total of 54 people had gone from Hyderabad to Jeddah, of which 46 were travelling in the bus, while others stayed back in the hotel due to various reasons. He added that they had embarked on the pilgrimage from November 9 to November 23.

The bus was on its way from Makkah to Madinah when the crash happened around 11 pm Saudi time (1.30 am Monday Indian time) on Sunday. The pilgrims were travelling through four travel agencies, namely Hafsa, Baab Ul Harmain, Al Makkah, and Mahmood Bhaijaan, the Telangana State Hajj Committee said in a statement. The incident happened in Mufrihat, 25 km from Madinah.

The deceased include 17 men, 28 women, and 10 children. Sixteen of the deceased are residents of Mallepalli, while others are from Toli Chowki, Tappachabutra, Asifnagar, and Goshamahal. Many among them had booked their pilgrimage tour through local travel agencies.

Confirming the incident, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah said it has set up a 24/7 control room and released helpline numbers for those seeking assistance."In view of a tragic bus accident near Madina, Saudi Arabia, involving Indian Umrah pilgrims, a 24x7 Control Room has been set up in Consulate General of India, Jeddah," the Consulate posted on X.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said he had spoken to Abu Mathen George, deputy chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, who “assured me that they are gathering information about the matter.” He added that he had also contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared the passengers’ details with the Riyadh Embassy and the Foreign Secretary.

Urging the Centre to intervene, Owaisi said, “I request the Union Government, especially EAM Dr S Jaishankar, to bring the bodies back to India and, if anyone is injured, ensure that they receive proper medical treatment.”

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over a bus accident in Saudi Arabia involving Indian pilgrims. The Telangana government said it is in contact with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh after local media reported that Indian Umrah pilgrims were killed in the accident. In an official statement, the state government confirmed that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has alerted officials in New Delhi and instructed them to coordinate closely with embassy authorities.

Telangana Chief Secretary in Hyderabad, Ramakrishna Rao, alerted the Resident Commissioner Gaurav Uppal, who is in Delhi. He ordered to collect details on how many people belonging to our state are in the accident and provide them immediately as per the CMO. A control room was set up in the Secretariat to monitor the situation.

PM Modi Expresses Anguish

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives in the Saudi Arabia bus accident involving several Indian Umrah pilgrims and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Deeply saddened by the accident in Medinah involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured." "Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with Saudi Arabian authorities," he added.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar also expressed deep concern, saying, "Deeply shocked at the accident involving Indian nationals in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving the fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident. Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the speedy recovery of those injured."

Meanwhile, the Telangana government has decided to pay Rs 5 lakh compensation to the families of those who died in the mishap. The state cabinet has decided to form a government delegation comprising Minority Minister Azharuddin, an MIM MLA and an officer from the minority wing which will leave for Saudi Arabia. The team will also comprise two members each of the affected families.

It has also been decided to conduct the funeral of the deceased in Saudi Arabia.

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