At least 45 Indian nationals are feared dead and one injured after a bus accident in Saudi Arabia near the pilgrimage city of Medina, Indian authorities said on Monday.
Saudi officials did not immediately confirm the crash or any casualties.
What we know about the Saudi Arabia bus crash?
Indian broadcaster NDTV reported, citing witnesses, that the bus was in a collision with a tanker.
Many of the passagers were reported to have originally been from the Indian city of Hyderabad, and were performing the Islamic pilgrimage known as Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
V.C. Sajjanar,Hyderabad's police commissioner, said preliminary information indicated that 46 people were traveling in the bus.
He told reporters that "heartbreakingly, only one person survived."
Footage circulating on social media appeared to show a massive fire rising, allegedly from the site of the crash.
The Times of India paper quoted unnamed officials as saying that 46 passengers were aboard the bus while reportedly traveling from Mecca to Medina.
Government Issues HelplinesThe Telangana government said it is coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has instructed officials in New Delhi to work closely with embassy authorities. A control room has been set up at the state secretariat, and the Resident Commissioner is collecting details of victims from Telangana.
Helpline numbers issued by the Telangana government:
+91 7997959754, +91 9912919545
The Indian Embassy in Jeddah has also activated a 24×7 control room and helpline:
8002440003 (Toll free)
0122614093
0126614276
0556122301 (WhatsApp)
Reactions
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said officials were in "close contact" with Saudi authorities.
"My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance," he wrote on social media.
Asaduddin Owaisi, MP from Hyderabad, said 42 Hajj pilgrims who were travelling from Mecca to Medina were on a bus that caught fire...I spoke to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, and he assured me that they are gathering information about the matter. I have contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared the passengers’ details with the Riyadh Embassy and the Foreign Secretary. I request the Union Government, especially EAM Dr S. Jaishankar, to bring the bodies back to India and, if anyone is injured, ensure that they receive proper medical treatment.”.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed deep shock at the tragedy, saying the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are extending full support to affected families.
“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 speedy recovery of those injured,” he posted on X.
Muslims from around the world flock to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia's west, to perform Umrah, a shorter version of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. While Hajj takes place only at a specific time every year, Umrah can be performed year-round.
Saudi Arabia is also home to a large Indian diaspora.
