Riyadh, (Udaipur Kiran)। A tragic road accident in Saudi Arabia on Monday claimed the lives of 42 Indian passengers travelling from Makkah to Madinah. The victims included 20 women and 11 children, according to initial information.
Local media reports stated that the bus collided with a diesel tanker, following which the vehicle caught fire. Most of the passengers are believed to be Indians from Hyderabad, who were on their way for Umrah.
The accident took place near Muharras, around 160 km from Madinah, at approximately 1:30 am IST. Many passengers were asleep at the time, leaving them with no chance to escape once the fire spread after the collision.
Telangana Government Responds
The Telangana government said it is in constant touch with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. In an official statement, the government said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has instructed officials in New Delhi to work closely with the embassy to assist in identifying victims and completing the required formalities.
Indian Embassy Issues Helpline
The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has activated a 24×7 control room and issued a helpline number for assistance.
Helpline: 8002440003
Following the incident, the Telangana government has also set up a control room at the Secretariat for families seeking information.
Contact numbers: 79979-59754, 99129-19545
Asaduddin Owaisi Expresses Grief
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi expressed grief over the deaths of Indian Umrah pilgrims. Speaking to news agency ANI, he said he had contacted two travel agencies in Hyderabad and shared passenger information with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.
He also spoke to Abu Maithan George, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy, who informed him that local authorities are gathering details and updates will be shared soon.
Owaisi appealed to the Centre—especially External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar—to ensure that the bodies are brought back to India and injured persons receive necessary medical care.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
