A devastating traffic accident on the Makkah-Madina highway has claimed the lives of 42 Umrah pilgrims, mostly from Hyderabad, India. The bus carrying the pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker and caught fire around 1:30 am local time, leaving only one survivor.
“We are deeply shocked at the accident involving Indian nationals in Medinah, Saudi Arabia,” said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. “Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident.”
The pilgrims, including 20 women and 11 children, had completed their Umrah rituals in Mecca and were heading to Medina when the accident occurred. The Indian government has set up a 24×7 control room in Jeddah to assist families of the victims, with helpline numbers available: 8002440003 (toll-free), 0122614093, 0126614276, and 0556122301 (WhatsApp).
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi expressed grief over the accident, saying, “I request the Union Government, especially EAM Dr S. Jaishankar, to bring the bodies back to India and provide proper medical treatment to the injured.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the loss of lives, assuring that the government is providing all possible assistance.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but reports suggest that the bus was completely gutted, making identification of victims extremely challenging.