Saudi Arabia Bus Crash Live Updates: At least 45 Indian pilgrims feared dead near Medina, Hyderabad families in distress

As many as 18 members of a family across three generations were in a bus involved in a deadly accident with an oil tanker in Saudi Arabia, relatives said here on Monday.

Shaik Nazeeruddin, a retired railway employee, was travelling in the ill-fated bus along with his wife, son, three daughters and grandchildren on his way to Medina, his nephew Mohammed Aslam said.

"Whether it was an accident or what happened we do not know, but total 18 members- Shaik Nazeeruddin, his son, daughters and grandchildren were in the bus," Salam told PTI. Nazeeruddin's another son is currently in the US.

(PTI)

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of Indian pilgrims in a bus accident in Saudi Arabia’s Medina.

Over 40 Indians were reportedly on board when the bus collided with an oil tanker, causing a massive fire.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar has informed that total of 54 people from the city had left for the pilgrimage recently.

(PTI)

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan Monday condoled the loss of lives in the bus accident involving several Indian Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia's Medinah.

Around 40 Indians, most of them from Telangana, were on board the bus which reportedly collided with an oil tanker at around 1:30 am (IST).

In a social media post, Radhakrishnan said he was deeply pained by the tragic road accident near Medinah, Saudi Arabia.

"My thoughts are with the affected families during this difficult time. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said.

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu expressed condolences over the Saudi Arabia bus accident that claimed the lives of several pilgrims from Telangana. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic accident in Saudi Arabia that took our fellow brothers and sisters who were on the holy Umrah pilgrimage. May their souls rest in peace, and may the bereaved families find strength and solace in this difficult time,” he wrote on X.

In the wake of the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia involving Indian pilgrims travelling from Makkah to Madinah, Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi has set up a dedicated control room to assist affected families. Senior officials at the Bhavan are in constant touch with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh as efforts continue to gather complete details of the incident and verify how many pilgrims from Telangana were involved. Families seeking information can reach out to the control room through the following contacts: Smt. Vandhana, PS to Resident Commissioner and Liaison Head ( +91 98719 99044 ); Sri Ch. Chakravarthi, Public Relations Officer ( +91 99583 22143 ); and Sri Rakshith Nail, Liaison Officer ( +91 96437 23157 ).

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday condoled the death of Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and urged the Centre to closely coordinate with state authorities to provide succour to the families of the deceased.

Several Indian Umrah pilgrims, most of them hailing from Telangana, are feared dead in a horrific bus accident in Saudi Arabia's Madina early Monday.

Around 40 Indians were on board the bus which reportedly collided with an oil tanker at around 1:30 am (IST).

"Deeply saddened by the heart-wrenching tragedy near Medinah, Saudi Arabia involving several Indian nationals. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured," he said in a post on X.

"The Union Government, through the @MEAIndia should closely coordinate with state authorities and the families of the victims here in India to provide succour and relief, in this difficult time," he said.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar Monday confirmed that 45 pilgrims from Hyderabad were killed in the Saudi Arabia bus accident while travelling from Mecca to Madina. Of the 54 people who left for Jeddah on November 9 for a two-week trip, eight escaped the tragedy after opting to travel separately, while the remaining 46 took the ill-fated bus that crashed en route.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday expressed deep sorrow over the fatal bus accident in Medinah that claimed the lives of several Indian nationals. In a post on X, he conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Modi said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are extending all possible assistance and remain in close touch with Saudi authorities.