As many as 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims are feared to have been killed in a deadly accident when their passenger bus collided with a diesel tanker in Saudi Arabia on early Monday. Most of them were residents of Hyderabad who had gone for the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.
The tragic crash happened at around 1:30 am IST when the bus was travelling from Mecca to Medina, after the pilgrims had performed all the rituals at the sacred site. As per initial information, the victims include 30 women and 11 children from Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana. This is not the official number; it will be confirmed by Saudi authorities soon. However, the victims are more than 40, and the number is only expected to rise. The Telangana Haj Committee has stated that 40 pilgrims lost their lives.
The Consulate General of India, based in Jeddah, also posted helpline numbers from which grieving families can contact about their loved ones.
In view of a tragic bus accident near Madina, Saudi Arabia, involving Indian Umrah pilgirms, a 24x7 Control Room has been set up in Consulate General of India, Jeddah.
The contact details of the Helpline are as under:
8002440003 (Toll free)
0122614093
0126614276
0556122301…
— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) November 17, 2025
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to X, saying, "Deeply shocked at the accident involving Indian nationals in Medinah, Saudi Arabia. Our embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are giving the fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident. Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the speedy recovery of those injured."
Deeply shocked at the accident involving Indian nationals in Medinah, Saudi Arabia.
Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident.
Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the…
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 17, 2025
Telangana Chief Minister's Office released a statement and ensured full support as CM Anumula Revanth Reddy directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to gather all details. A 24X7 control room has also been set up.
The CMO said, "He asked how many people lived in Telangana. He advised them to speak with officials from the Central Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi Embassy. He ordered that, if necessary, they should immediately enter the field to provide appropriate relief efforts. With the CM's orders, CS Ramakrishna Rao alerted the Resident Commissioner Gaurav Uppal, who is in Delhi. He ordered to collect details on how many people belonging to our state are in the accident and provide them immediately."
The control room at the State Secretariat will coordinate all the information and assist the affected families. Officials have also been instructed to remain in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi authorities regarding the situation.
Hyderabad MP Assaddudin Owaisi also expressed grief over the incident. Speaking to ANI, Owaisi said that he had contacted the travel agencies of Hyderabad and shared the list of passengers with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. Further stating that details are being gathered and the local authorities will update soon.
