A catastrophic bus fire near Medina has claimed 45 lives from Telangana, leaving one survivor, as India works urgently with Saudi authorities to support families and secure information.
A devastating bus fire near Medina in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of 45 Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana, leaving only one survivor, the Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed on Monday. Describing it as one of the most tragic overseas incidents involving pilgrims from the state in recent years, he said the scale and suddenness of the disaster had left families in shock.
The group was travelling from Makkah to Madinah when their bus collided with an oil tanker around 25 kilometres from Medina. The impact triggered an explosion, engulfing the bus in flames within minutes. “The fire spread rapidly, leaving no time for most passengers to escape,” Commissioner Sajjanar said.
According to police, 54 pilgrims began their Umrah tour on 9 November. Four travelled separately to Madinah, another four remained in Makkah, and the remaining 46 boarded the ill-fated bus. Forty-five died at the scene. The sole survivor, Md Abdul Shoaib, is hospitalised in Saudi Arabia in critical condition.
India mobilises diplomatic machinery
The tragedy has triggered a swift response from Indian authorities. The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has set up a 24×7 control room to assist families, providing multiple emergency contact numbers and WhatsApp support. Consular teams and Indian community volunteers are stationed at hospitals and government offices to gather verified information.
The Consulate expressed its “deepest condolences” and said it is coordinating closely with the Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry and local authorities. Officials are also in touch with the Government of Telangana to ensure accurate updates reach affected families.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he was “deeply shocked” by the tragedy and that both the Embassy in Riyadh and the Jeddah Consulate were extending “fullest support” to families. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued messages of sympathy, assuring that Indian officials are working closely with Saudi authorities to support survivors, manage hospital care and facilitate necessary arrangements for the deceased.
Telangana seeks immediate clarity
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to work in constant coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs. A dedicated control room has been activated at the state Secretariat, with the Chief Secretary instructing the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi to gather precise details about the passengers from Telangana.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said he had spoken to senior Indian diplomats in Riyadh and shared passenger manifests with the Embassy to help accelerate identification. He urged the Centre to expedite the return of bodies so that families can complete last rites.
Nationwide condolences
Political leaders across India expressed grief. NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule said she hoped the injured would recover quickly and urged the government to ensure stranded pilgrims return home soon.
As families in Telangana brace for the official confirmation of victims’ names, Indian authorities continue to maintain communication lines and coordinate closely with Saudi officials. With only one survivor fighting for his life, the incident stands as one of the most harrowing disasters involving Indian Umrah pilgrims in recent memory.
