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New Delhi: In a shocking incident, at least 45 people lost their lives when the bus carrying them collided with a diesel tanker near Medina in Saudi Arabia. While all of them were from India, 16 of them were believed to be from the state of Telangana.
According to Telangana police, 46 people were travelling in the bus at the time of the incident, and only one person survived. Telangana government is coordinating with the concerned Saudi authorities and are in the process of gathering complete details, especially regarding the pilgrims who had travelled from Hyderabad.
Those from Hyderabad are believed to be from the Bazarghat area of Mallepalli. The victims were returning from Medina after offering Umrah prayers when the accident took place. The victims traveled through Al Meena and Al Mecca Travels, Nampally. Emergency teams and local authorities reached the spot soon after reaching the spot. They are varying the exact number of casualties in the incident and are identifying the victims.
Meanwhile, PM Modi has condoled the loss of lives in the bus accident in the holy city of Medinah in Saudi Arabia.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Deeply saddened by the accident in Medinah involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with Saudi Arabian authorities."
Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar condoled the loss of lives in the accident. Taking to X, he wrote, “Deeply shocked at the accident involving Indian nationals in Medinah, Saudi Arabia. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving the fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident. Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Meanwhile, the Indian envoy in Saudi Arabia, while condoling the incident, also shared the helpline numbers. "The Embassy expresses deep condolences on the tragic bus accident involving Indian Umrah pilgrims near Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate General in Jeddah are extending all assistance in the matter.”
Condoling the incident, Consulate General of India, Jeddah took to X and wrote, "In light of a tragic bus accident late last night involving Umrah pilgrims, near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, a 24x7 Control Room has been set up in the Consulate General of India, Jeddah. We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are also in touch with the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry and other local authorities. They are also in touch with the concerned Umrah operators. A team of Consulate staff and Indian community volunteers is on the ground at various hospitals and sites..."
“In view of a tragic bus accident near Madina, Saudi Arabia, involving Indian Umrah pilgrims, a 24x7 Control Room has been set up in the Consulate General of India, Jeddah. The contact details of the Helpline are: 8002440003 (Toll free), 0122614093, 0126614276, 0556122301 (WhatsApp),” it added.
Reacting to the development, the Telangana government said it was in contact with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also directed Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and DGP Shivadhar Reddy to gather details of the victims at the earliest and find out details of the victims who were from Telangana.
Reacting to the development, Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, while speaking to ANI said, “Forty-two Hajj pilgrims who were travelling from Mecca to Medina were on a bus that caught fire...I spoke to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, and he assured me that they are gathering information about the matter.”
He further said, “I have contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared the passengers’ details with the Riyadh Embassy and the Foreign Secretary. I request the Union Government, especially EAM Dr S. Jaishankar, to bring the bodies back to India and, if anyone is injured, ensure that they receive proper medical treatment.”
