A devastating road accident early on Monday killed at least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims, including 16 from Hyderabad, after their bus collided with a diesel tanker while travelling from Makkah to Madinah, according to initial government reports.
The crash occurred around 1:30am IST at Mufrihat, approximately 160km from Madinah. There were 43 passengers on board, and early reports suggest only one person survived as the bus went up in flames, charring the rest of the passengers.
The group had departed from Hyderabad on November 9. Among the 43 devotees on the bus were 20 women and 11 children, all of whom had completed their Umrah pilgrimage in Makkah and were en route to Madinah when tragedy struck.
Telangana confirms 16 Hyderabad victims
Telangana IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu said at least 16 of the deceased were from Hyderabad’s Bazarghat area in Mallepalli. “Details of the deceased are being ascertained,” he told reporters.
In Hyderabad, families have gathered anxiously at homes and travel offices, desperately awaiting confirmation and hoping for some good news. Local travel agencies have been in constant touch with Saudi authorities and the Indian Embassy.
A representative of Al Meena Travel Agency confirmed that 20 passengers from their Bazarghat group travelled to Saudi Arabia on November 9. “Sixteen of them were returning to Madinah, and their whereabouts are still unknown,” he said.
The pilgrims believed to have died include:
Mohammad Manzoor (50), Zaheen Begum (19), Shaukat Begam (57), Farheen Begum (43), Zakia Begum (47), Mastan Mohammad (55), Parveen Begum (35), Sohail Mohammad (23), Abdul Mohammad (24), Mohammad Maulana (62), Abdul Mohammad (57), Ghousiya Begum (46), Shehnaz Begum (41), Rahmat Bee Rehmatbee (80) and Raheem Unnisa (60).
Rescue efforts underway; Indian officials reach site
Saudi Civil Defence teams and police rushed to the crash site for rescue and recovery. Indian Embassy officials and Umrah operators also reached the area to assist with identification efforts and to coordinate with local authorities.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has set up a 24x7 control room for affected families. A toll-free helpline (8002440003) and additional emergency lines have been activated. The Consulate said staff members and Indian community volunteers are stationed at hospitals and relevant locations.
Both the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Jeddah Consulate are in touch with the Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry and local authorities to coordinate support.
Indian leaders express shock
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he was “deeply shocked” by the tragedy. In a message on X, he assured that the Embassy and Consulate were providing the “fullest support” and extended condolences to families.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also expressed grief, stating that officials were gathering information and offering all possible assistance.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said he had spoken to the Deputy Chief of Mission Abu Mathen George, who confirmed that the Embassy is compiling details. Owaisi urged the Union Government to ensure the victims’ bodies are brought back to India and that any injured receive proper medical care.
Telangana govt activates emergency response
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said he was deeply shocked by the accident. He instructed Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy to collect full details of the victims and immediately liaise with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Saudi Embassy.
A control room has been set up at the Telangana Secretariat with emergency helplines: 79979 59754 and 99129 19545. The Chief Secretary has also alerted Resident Commissioner Gaurav Uppal in Delhi to coordinate the collection of victim details from central authorities.
A separate update reiterated that at least 42 Indian pilgrims from Hyderabad died in the crash and that emergency teams are still verifying the number of casualties. Several passengers remain unidentified due to severe burn injuries.
The Indian mission confirmed that consulate teams and volunteers are stationed across hospitals for real-time updates. Coordination between the Telangana government, the Indian Embassy, and Saudi authorities is ongoing to assist families, repatriate bodies, and ensure medical care for survivors.
