Photo credit: @SKBishnoi29Rule|X
Deadly Bus Collision Near Madinah Claims 45 Indians
Madinah/New Delhi: A bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, late on the night of November 16, 2025, resulting in the deaths of approximately 45 people and leaving only one survivor. Preliminary reports identify the survivor as Md Abdul Shoaib. Most of those on board were reported to be from Telangana, particularly Hyderabad, and had travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage.
According to initial accounts, the collision caused the bus to catch fire, and it was completely engulfed in flames, leaving passengers with little opportunity to escape. The deceased include men, women, and children. The charred remains were transported to local hospitals, including King Fahad, King Salman, and Al Miqat, for identification. Families have been given the option of repatriating the bodies to India or following local burial arrangements in Madinah, in accordance with local Islamic practices.
In response to the incident, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah established a 24-hour control room to coordinate support for affected families. Helpline numbers provided by the consulate include a toll-free line (8002440003), two Saudi landline numbers (00966-12-2614093 and 00966-12-6614276), and a WhatsApp contact (00966-55-6122301). Embassy officials in Riyadh and consulate staff in Jeddah are in contact with local authorities, including the Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry, and are coordinating with the State of Telangana to provide support to families. Indian community volunteers are assisting at hospitals and at the accident site.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and stated that Indian officials were gathering further details and extending all possible assistance. President Droupadi Murmu conveyed her “deepest” condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, also conveyed his grief over the loss of life, expressing condolences to the families and prayers for the recovery of those injured. He stated that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were providing all possible assistance and that Indian officials were in close contact with Saudi authorities to ensure coordination and support.
Reports indicate that 54 pilgrims from Hyderabad had booked travel through a specific agency. Of these, eight chose alternative arrangements and did not travel on the bus, while the remaining 46 were on the bus involved in the accident. The victims are being identified through coordinated efforts by Indian and Saudi authorities, a process complicated by the extensive fire damage to the vehicle.
The Telangana government has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for each family of the deceased. Authorities continue to provide support for the identification process, coordinate with families, and manage arrangements for repatriation or local burial. The Indian Embassy and Consulate are monitoring developments closely and providing updates as further information becomes available.
– global bihari bureau
