At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims are feared dead after a passenger bus travelling from Mecca to Madinah crashed into a diesel tanker early Monday. According to initial information, most of the victims, including women and children are believed to be from Hyderabad.
According to reports, the group had completed their Umrah rituals in Mecca and was on its way to Madinah when the accident took place. Emergency teams were rushed to the site, and authorities are still assessing the full extent of the casualties.
Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the tragic accident and has directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to gather complete details. He has also instructed officials to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi Embassy to ensure immediate relief measures are initiated.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi expressed grief after a bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims met with an accident in Saudi Arabia. While speaking with ANI, Owaisi said that he had contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared the passengers’ information with the Riyadh Embassy.
“…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,” Owisai said.
