The death toll from a devastating bus crash involving Indian Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia rose to 45 on Monday, according to Hyderabad police officials, marking one of the deadliest accidents involving Indian nationals in the kingdom in recent years.
The victims were part of a 54-member group that had traveled from Hyderabad to Jeddah on November 9 for the pilgrimage, with plans to return by November 23. According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar, while eight members of the group opted to travel separately, 46 others boarded a private bus from Mecca to Medina late Sunday night. The bus reportedly collided with an oil tanker near Medina around 1:30 a.m. IST, erupting into flames upon impact.
Only one person is believed to have survived the crash, Sajjanar confirmed.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said its diplomatic missions in Riyadh and Jeddah were providing full support to affected families. “Deeply shocked by the news,” External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said in a statement from Moscow, where he is currently on an official visit. “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims.”
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy called the accident a “tragic loss” and directed senior state officials to gather details and coordinate closely with the Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi authorities. He also instructed officials to prepare immediate relief measures for affected families.
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were among several leaders who offered condolences. “My thoughts are with the affected families during this difficult time,” Radhakrishnan wrote on social media. “Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Saudi authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, but Indian officials say most of them were from Telangana.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
