At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims, many reportedly from Hyderabad, were feared dead after a bus travelling from Mecca to Madinah collided with a diesel tanker near Mufrihat in Saudi Arabia early on Monday, 17 November. The high-impact crash left several passengers dead and others injured, according to initial reports.
Emergency teams reached the site and began rescue operations while authorities worked to verify the exact number of casualties and identify the victims.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah opened a 24×7 control room and released the emergency helpline 8002440003 for affected families.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he was deeply shocked by the tragedy and confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were providing full assistance. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a quick recovery.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy instructed senior state officials to collect details of passengers from Telangana and coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi Embassy. A control room was set up at the Telangana Secretariat with helplines 79979 59754 and 99129 19545.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi shared that he had contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and passed passenger lists to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. He said Deputy Chief of Mission Abu Mathen George had informed him that local authorities were gathering more information.
Owaisi urged the Union Government to ensure the repatriation of the bodies and proper medical treatment for the injured.
Further updates are awaited as verification and relief efforts continue.
