What was meant to be a peaceful pilgrimage turned tragic when a bus carrying Indian pilgrims from Hyderabad collided with a diesel tanker near Medina and caught fire, killing 45 people. Most passengers, including men, women, and children, were asleep and had little chance to escape.
Miraculously, 24-year-old Mohammad Abdul Shoeb survived. Seated near the driver, he broke a window and jumped out just moments before the flames engulfed the bus, becoming the sole survivor of the horrific accident.
Among the deceased were 18 members of a single extended family spanning three generations. The fire’s intensity has made identification difficult, and authorities are considering DNA tests for confirmation.
The Telangana government has announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh for each bereaved family and has sent a delegation led by Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammad Azharuddin to Saudi Arabia. Bodies will be buried in Saudi Arabia according to local religious customs.
The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has set up a 24×7 control room and helpline to assist families, while Telangana authorities have opened local support centers for relatives seeking information.
The tragedy has left Hyderabad in mourning, with families gathering at travel agencies and hospitals, desperate for news of their loved ones. Authorities are coordinating with Saudi officials to ensure proper identification, support for survivors, and a thorough investigation into the accident.
Also Read: 42 Indians, 18 from one family, die in Saudi crash
