- By Deeksha Gour
- Mon, 17 Nov 2025 07:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Saudi Arabia Bus Accident: Hyderabad is grieving the loss of eighteen members of a single family who died in a major road accident near Medina, Saudi Arabia. They were among the 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims killed when their bus caught fire after colliding with a diesel tanker early on Monday.
According to relatives, the family had travelled to Saudi Arabia eight days earlier for Umrah and had completed their pilgrimage. They were on their way back to Medina when the accident took place around 1.30 AM. All nine adults and nine children from the group died in the fire that destroyed the bus within minutes.
The NDTV report cited Mohammed Asif, a relative, as stating that the family had been in touch with them until shortly before the crash. “Eighteen members of one family, nine adults and nine children have died. It is a terrible tragedy for us,” he said. He identified some of the victims as 70-year-old Naseeruddin, his wife Akhter Begum, their son Salauddin and daughters Amina, Rizwana and Shabana, along with their grandchildren.
At the family’s home in Ramnagar, relatives broke down as they confirmed the deaths. When Naseeruddin’s sister entered the house, she cried, “My brother’s entire family has been wiped out.”
The news led to dozens of distraught family members visiting the office of the travel agency that arranged the pilgrimage. One man, whose seven family members were also in the bus, said they received information only in the morning. “Some of our relatives are trying to go to Saudi. It would be better if the government helps us,” he said.
Another family member, distressed and seeking clarity, said the crash happened just 25 to 30 kilometres from Medina. “We contacted the travel agency as soon as we heard. We request the government to allow us to go to Saudi Arabia,” he said.
According to reports, over 40 of the deceased were from Hyderabad. The incident occurred when the pilgrims were travelling from Mecca to Medina. The bus allegedly caught fire moments after the collision, trapping passengers inside.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah were providing assistance. A 24×7 control room and helpline have been set up for families seeking information.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also conveyed his grief and directed officials to coordinate with the Indian consulate. He assured that the state government would support the affected families during this difficult time.