A major bus accident near Medina killed 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims on Monday, and one person survived the crash. Officials identified the survivor as 24-year-old Mohd Abdul Shoiab, a resident of Hyderabad.
According to the sources, he was sitting near the driver when the bus travelling from Mecca to Medina collided with a diesel tanker.
Shoiab has been admitted to a hospital, but his condition remains unknown. Authorities believe around 46 people were on board the bus at the time of the crash, which took place at around 1:30 am (IST). The Indian mission in Jeddah has set up a control room to coordinate assistance.
Press Release on a tragic bus accident late last night involving Indian Umrah pilgrims, near Madinah, Saudi Arabia.@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @IndianEmbRiyadh @diaspora_india @CPVIndia @SecretaryCPVOIA pic.twitter.com/kiNt3XY1aW
— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) November 17, 2025
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is currently visiting Russia, described the accident as shocking and directed officials to extend full support. He said the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah are assisting Indian nationals and the families of the victims.
In a social media post, he offered condolences to the families of those who died and wished a speedy recovery for the injured survivors. The Indian mission in Saudi Arabia is also collecting detailed information and working closely with Saudi authorities to ensure timely updates and support for those affected.
Telangana Government Seeks Detailed Information
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also reacted to the incident and sought a full report. His office said he asked the chief secretary and the director general of police to gather complete details, as early information indicated that several Hyderabad residents were among the pilgrims.
Reddy instructed officials to contact the Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi Embassy and begin immediate relief measures. His office stated that Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao spoke with Coordination Secretary Gaurav Uppal in Delhi and issued the required directives to ensure proper coordination and support.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has set up a 24×7 control room to assist families. The helpline numbers are: 8002440003 (toll free), 0122614093, 0126614276, and 0556122301 (WhatsApp).
Swastika Sruti is a Senior Sub Editor at NewsX Digital with 5 years of experience shaping stories that matter. She loves tracking politics- national and global trends, and never misses a chance to dig deeper into policies and developments. Passionate about what’s happening around us, she brings sharp insight and clarity to every piece she works on. When not curating news, she’s busy exploring what’s next in the world of public interest. You can reach her at [swastika.newsx@gmail.com]
