42 Indian Umrah pilgrims killed in bus accident in Saudi Arabia

At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad were killed when the passenger bus they were travelling in caught fire on Monday morning in Saudi Arabia. The accident happened around 1.30 am IST after the bus, which had departed from Mecca and was en route to Medina, collided with a diesel tanker. According to initial reports, the victims include 20 women and 11 children.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi expressed deep grief over the tragedy. Speaking to ANI, he said, “Forty-two pilgrims travelling from Mecca to Medina were on a bus that caught fire.” He added that he had spoken to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, who assured him that the embassy was gathering all necessary information.

Owaisi said he had also contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared the passengers’ details with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Foreign Secretary. He urged the Union Government, particularly External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, to ensure the bodies are brought back to India at the earliest and that any injured pilgrims receive proper medical care. The bodies have not been identified because the vehicle was completely burnt.