Saturday, March 29, 2025
In a tragic incident in Saudi Arabia, at least 42 Indian nationals are feared dead after a bus travelling from Mecca to Medina collided with a tanker and burst into flames. The vehicle was carrying around 50 passengers, most of whom are believed to be residents of Hyderabad, Telangana.
According to early reports, the bus was nearing Medina when it crashed into a high-speed tanker approximately 15 kilometres outside the city. Officials suspect that the tanker was transporting highly flammable material, causing a massive fire that engulfed the bus within minutes. Authorities fear that all passengers on board may have died on the spot due to the intensity of the blaze.
The Telangana government confirmed that it is in close contact with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. In an official statement, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy directed officials in Delhi to coordinate with embassy representatives to gather accurate details and assist with further procedures.
Local reports suggest that a majority of the deceased belonged to Hyderabad’s Bazaarghat area. AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi urged the central government to expedite efforts to identify the victims and ensure the repatriation of the bodies. Owaisi also spoke to Abu George, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, who assured him that all information and identification details are being collected.
In the meantime, a Saudi travel agency has handed over the full passenger list to the Indian Embassy to help with verification and formal identification of the victims.
The Telangana government has also issued a helpline number for families seeking information about their loved ones.
