Bus-Tanker Crash in Saudi Arabia: 42 Indian Pilgrims Feared Dead
A severe road accident early Monday in Saudi Arabia has left at least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims feared dead, many of whom were reportedly from Hyderabad and the Telangana region. The incident occurred when their bus, travelling from Mecca to Medina, collided with a diesel tanker near the town of Mufrihat. Only a handful of passengers survived.
Response and Ongoing Assistance
The Indian mission in Jeddah has established a 24-hour control room to coordinate support for the victims’ families and manage consular services. The government of Telangana has also activated a crisis response cell and is working with the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate communications, repatriation of remains and support for the injured. Senior political leaders from the state have expressed deep shock and offered condolences.
Investigation and Next Steps
Saudi Arabian authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, including possible vehicle malfunction or tanker driver error. Verification of the number of casualties and identities of the victims is ongoing. Indian officials are liaising closely with their Saudi counterparts to expedite access to medical reports and ensure all legal and logistical support measures are in place for the families affected.
