Mufrihat, Saudi Arabia: In a devastating accident early Monday, a bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker near Mufrihat, around 160 km from Medina, sparking a massive fire that has left over 40 pilgrims feared dead. Many of the victims are reported to be women and children. Only one person is believed to have survived, though their condition remains critical.
The bus was traveling from Makkah to Medina when the collision occurred around 1:30 a.m. IST. The force of the crash caused the bus to catch fire instantly, making rescue operations extremely challenging. Saudi Civil Defense and local police rushed to the scene to control the blaze and recover victims.
A majority of the pilgrims on board were from Hyderabad, Telangana, prompting the state government to immediately set up a Control room in coordination with Indian authorities in Jeddah. The Telangana Chief Minister has ordered a detailed report and is liaising with Saudi officials to assist families and ensure the swift identification and repatriation of the victims.
Indian officials have released Helpline numbers for relatives seeking information. Political leaders, including Barrister Asaduddin Owaisi, have urged the government to expedite the process of bringing back the bodies and supporting the grieving families.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision, while the scale of the tragedy has raised serious concerns about Safety measures for pilgrim transport in Saudi Arabia. Families of the deceased remain anxiously waiting for confirmation of identities and further updates.
This incident marks one of the deadliest accidents involving Indian pilgrims in recent years and has prompted widespread grief and calls for stricter transport regulations.
Helpline Numbers for Affected Families
- Telangana State Control Room: +91 79979‑59754, +91 99129‑19545
- Indian Embassy / Mission in Saudi Arabia: +966‑11‑4884697 (24‑hour)
- Toll-free in Saudi Arabia: 800 247 1234
