45 Indian Umrah pilgrims killed in Saudi bus-tanker crash; Hyderabad officials confirm only 1 survivor

At least 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims were killed after a bus carrying them collided with a diesel tanker near Madinah in Saudi Arabia early Monday. Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed the death toll, stating that “there is only one survivor who is currently in the hospital.” Preliminary details suggest that many of the victims were residents of Hyderabad’s Mallepalli area.

According to officials, the accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. IST in Mufrihat, around 160 km from Madinah. The group had left Hyderabad on November 9 and was returning to Madinah after offering Umrah prayers in Mecca. Of the 54 members who travelled from Hyderabad to Jeddah, 46 were on the bus that crashed, while others had travelled separately or stayed back in Mecca. The sole survivor, identified as Mohammad Abdul Suyaib, is being treated in the ICU at the Saudi German Hospital.

The Telangana government has contacted the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and instructed state officials to coordinate with the External Affairs Ministry and Saudi authorities. A control room has been set up at the State Secretariat to assist affected families. Senior officials have been directed to verify the identities of the deceased and assess how many among them are from Telangana.

The Indian Embassy and the Consulate in Jeddah have activated a 24x7 helpline for families seeking information. Leaders including the chief minister, the External Affairs Minister, and the Hyderabad MP have expressed shock and called for urgent action to bring back the bodies and ensure medical support for the injured. Efforts are underway to complete formalities in Saudi Arabia and provide assistance to bereaved families in India.