Forty-five Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad, Telangana, India were killed early Monday morning, November 17, when their bus collided with an oil tanker near Medina, Saudi Arabia. Only one passenger survived the devastating crash that occurred around 1:30 a.m. IST, approximately 25 kilometers from Medina near Mufrihat.
The group of pilgrims had departed Hyderabad on November 9 and were scheduled to return on November 23. They were traveling from Mecca to Medina when the collision triggered a massive fire that engulfed the bus within minutes, leaving passengers with virtually no time to escape.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed the death toll and explained the circumstances surrounding the journey. Of the 54 pilgrims who traveled to Jeddah, eight had made alternative arrangements. Four traveled separately by car to Medina, while another four remained in Makkah. This left 46 passengers on the ill-fated bus. The fire spread rapidly after the collision, trapping most passengers inside the vehicle.
The sole survivor, 24-year-old Mohd Abdul Shoiab, remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit of a Saudi hospital. According to sources, he was positioned near the driver when the collision occurred, which may have facilitated his escape from the burning vehicle.
Among the victims were 18 members of a single family from the Ramnagar area of Musheerabad in Hyderabad, including nine adults and nine children. Shaik Naseeruddin, his family members, and multiple generations of relatives had been traveling together for the pilgrimage. A relative told reporters about the devastating loss and called for a full inquiry into the incident and the travel agency involved.
Reports indicate that between 42 and 43 of the victims were Indian nationals, with the remaining casualties including two Saudi facilitators. The exact breakdown of nationalities has varied slightly across initial reports as authorities work to confirm identities and notify families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences following the accident. He stated that he was “deeply saddened” by the incident and offered prayers for the swift recovery of those injured. Modi confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance to affected families and coordinating with Saudi Arabian authorities.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the accident and immediately directed state officials to gather complete details. The state government established a control room at the Secretariat to monitor developments and coordinate support for families. The Telangana government announced an ex gratia payment of five lakh rupees for the family of each victim.
The state is also sending a relief team to Saudi Arabia, led by Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin. An AIMIM member of the legislative assembly and a senior minority affairs official will accompany the delegation. Additionally, the government has decided to facilitate travel for two family members of each victim to Saudi Arabia to assist with identification and final arrangements.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has established a 24-hour control room to assist families seeking information. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah remain in contact with the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry and other local authorities, as well as the concerned Umrah operators.
Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year, unlike the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which occurs during specific Islamic calendar dates. Millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Saudi Arabia each year to perform Umrah, visiting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The journey typically involves organized group travel through licensed tour operators who arrange transportation, accommodation, and guidance for pilgrims.
The accident has raised concerns about transportation safety for pilgrims traveling between the holy cities. The route between Mecca and Medina is heavily traveled by buses carrying pilgrims, and road safety remains a critical issue for both Saudi authorities and countries whose citizens regularly undertake these religious journeys.
Several other Indian officials also expressed their condolences. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described himself as deeply shocked by the accident and confirmed that Indian diplomatic missions are providing the fullest support to affected nationals and families. Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi from Hyderabad has been coordinating with authorities and working to assist families of the victims, according to party representatives.
The incident represents one of the deadliest overseas accidents involving Indian pilgrims in recent years. Families in Hyderabad have been gathering at travel agency offices and government facilities seeking information about their loved ones and assistance with repatriation arrangements. Many relatives have expressed their desire to travel to Saudi Arabia immediately to be with surviving family members and make arrangements for those who perished.
As investigations continue into the exact cause of the collision, authorities from both India and Saudi Arabia are working to support grieving families and ensure proper handling of the aftermath. The Telangana government continues to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi to provide comprehensive assistance to all affected families during this difficult time.
