42 Indian Umrah Pilgrims Early today, a passenger bus transporting Indian Umrah pilgrims (note: reports indicate this was an Umrah group, the minor pilgrimage, rather than Hajj) from Mecca to Medina collided head-on with a diesel tanker near the Mufrihat area on the Medina-Mecca highway in Saudi Arabia. The impact caused the bus to catch fire, trapping many passengers who were asleep at the time. Emergency response teams, including Saudi civil defense and medical units, rushed to the scene and are still working to extinguish the blaze and recover remains.
42 Indian Umrah Pilgrims Casualties and Victims
- Death toll: At least 42 Indian nationals are confirmed feared dead, with some local reports suggesting the number could rise as identification continues. This includes women and children.
- Injuries: At least one survivor has been hospitalized with severe injuries; details on others are pending.
- Background of victims: The majority, if not all, were from Telangana state in India, with around 16 specifically from Hyderabad. They were part of a group that had just completed Umrah rituals in Mecca.
Official Response
- Saudi authorities: Rescue operations are ongoing, with forensic teams assisting in victim identification. The Saudi Ministry of Health and civil defense have deployed ambulances and fire units.
- Indian government:
- The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are coordinating closely with Saudi officials for DNA sampling, victim verification, and repatriation of remains.
- Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed shock and has activated a state-level control room in Hyderabad.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi is dispatching officials to the site for on-ground support.
- Helplines for families:
- Indian Consulate General, Jeddah: +966-8002440003 (toll-free in Saudi Arabia)
- Telangana Control Room, Hyderabad: 040-23452444 or 23452555
- MEA Emergency Helpline (for Indians abroad): +91-11-23012113
- For updates, families can also contact the Indian Embassy in Riyadh at +966-11-4884144.