42 Telangana Umrah Pilgrims Die in Saudi Arabia Bus–Tanker Crash
In a devastating road accident in Saudi Arabia, at least 42 Umrah pilgrims from Telangana were killed after their passenger bus collided with a diesel tanker near Mufrihat early Monday. The victims, most of whom were residents of Hyderabad and neighboring districts, were on their way from Mecca to Madinah when the crash occurred.
What Happened
According to preliminary reports, the bus carrying the pilgrims was travelling along the Mecca–Madinah route when it collided head-on with a fuel tanker transporting diesel. The impact was severe, causing extensive damage to the bus and resulting in immediate casualties. Several passengers sustained injuries of varying degrees and were rushed to nearby medical facilities.
Eyewitnesses reported that the collision caused a fire outbreak due to the diesel tanker’s rupture, further complicating rescue efforts. Emergency teams, along with Saudi civil defense authorities, responded promptly to control the situation, evacuate survivors, and recover bodies from the wreckage.
Search, Rescue and Identification Efforts
Saudi authorities initiated a large-scale rescue operation, deploying ambulances, firefighting units, and medical teams to the accident site. While early reports indicated multiple fatalities, officials are still working to confirm the exact number of casualties and to identify the deceased.
The process of verifying the identities of the victims is currently underway, with authorities coordinating to match passenger details, passports, and travel records.
Telangana and MEA Respond
Following the tragic news, officials in Telangana contacted the Ministry of External Affairs to obtain a verified account of the incident and the status of the pilgrims. Local representatives have also initiated communication with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to ensure the affected families receive timely support.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi expressed deep concern over the loss of lives and urged the central government to provide immediate updates, assistance, and repatriation support for the deceased and injured pilgrims.
Families Await Confirmation
Back in Telangana, families of the pilgrims are anxiously awaiting official confirmation regarding the status of their loved ones. Community leaders and travel coordinators facilitating Umrah pilgrimages have been assisting authorities with documentation and passenger records to expedite the identification process.
Ongoing Updates Expected
As Saudi authorities continue their investigation and rescue teams work on identifying victims, more verified information is expected in the coming hours. Indian officials are monitoring the situation closely to coordinate further support, including medical assistance for the injured and arrangements for the retrieval of remains.
About the Author
