At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims killed in bus crash near Madinah

At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims, many of them women and children from Hyderabad, were killed when a bus ferrying devotees from Mecca to Madinah collided with a stationary diesel tanker early Monday, triggering a massive fire that engulfed the vehicle.

The accident occurred around 1.30 am IST in the Mufarahat area, a key stretch on the pilgrimage route between the two holy cities. Reports quoting eyewitnesses said the impact was so severe that the bus “burst into flames within seconds”, trapping several passengers who were asleep at the time.

Rescue officials described the charred remains of the bus as “unrecognisable”, complicating efforts to identify victims. Only a handful of survivors were pulled out and rushed to nearby hospitals with severe burn injuries. One survivor identified by local media as Mohd Abdul Shoiab is undergoing treatment; his condition is not known.

Most of those on board were Indian nationals returning from Mecca after completing Umrah. Initial reports suggest that at least 20 women and 11 children were among the passengers. Authorities are still verifying exact numbers.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah have deployed consular teams to hospitals and the crash site. A 24×7 helpline has been activated: Indian Embassy (Saudi Arabia): 8002440003. Telangana Control Room: +91 7997959754, +91 9912919545.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed officials in New Delhi to coordinate with Saudi authorities and gather details of the victims. A dedicated control room has also been set up in the state secretariat.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said 42 pilgrims were on board the bus and confirmed he was in touch with the Indian Embassy. He urged the Centre to arrange for the repatriation of bodies and ensure proper treatment for the injured.

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, in a post on X, said he was “deeply shocked” by the tragedy. “Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving the fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected. Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

Saudi authorities have launched a formal investigation into the crash. Officials are examining whether driver fatigue, poor visibility, or improper tanker placement contributed to the collision. The accident has again raised questions about transport safety on Saudi Arabia’s pilgrimage routes, which witness heavy traffic throughout the year.