By Staff Reporter
A sacred pilgrimage turned into a devastating tragedy early Monday when a bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims from Makkah to Madinah collided with a diesel tanker, sparking an intense fire that engulfed the vehicle.
According to early reports, at least 42 Indian pilgrims are feared dead, with many of the victims believed to be women and children from Hyderabad. Unofficial sources indicate that 11 women and 10 children may be among those who lost their lives, though authorities are still verifying the exact numbers.
Indian Mission Sets Up Emergency Helpline
In response to the incident, the Consulate of India in Jeddah has opened a 24×7 control room. Families can contact the helpline at 8002440003 for information and assistance.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed profound grief over the accident, stating that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are extending full support to affected families. He offered heartfelt condolences and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
Authorities in India and Saudi Arabia Mobilise
The Telangana government is working closely with the Indian Embassy to track developments. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to coordinate with New Delhi and Saudi authorities to obtain accurate details and provide any required support.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi confirmed that there were 42 Umrah pilgrims on the bus when the fire broke out. He stated that he is in contact with Indian Embassy officials in Riyadh, who are gathering detailed information. Owaisi also appealed to the central government to ensure the victims’ bodies are brought back to India and that the injured receive proper medical care.
Crash Occurred While Passengers Slept
The collision happened around 1:30 am IST near Muhras/Mufrihat, approximately 160 km from Madinah. Many passengers were reportedly asleep, leaving them little chance to escape the inferno that followed.
Rescue workers described the scene as catastrophic, with the bus completely destroyed by fire. Identifying victims is expected to be extremely difficult. Initial reports indicate that one person survived, but their condition remains unclear.
Ongoing Response and Support
Saudi Civil Defence teams, local police, and Indian officials swiftly arrived at the site. Representatives of Umrah travel agencies are assisting authorities in recovery operations and in providing information to families in India.
The Telangana Chief Minister has instructed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to ascertain how many residents from the state were affected. A control room has been established at the Telangana Secretariat for families seeking assistance.
Control room numbers: +91 79979 59754, +91 99129 19545
Relatives in Hyderabad are anxiously contacting travel agents and officials, hoping for any news about their loved ones. What was meant to be a deeply spiritual journey has now turned into a painful period of uncertainty and grief for many families.
Source: Gulf News
