Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed profound grief following a devastating bus crash in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of Indian Umrah pilgrims. The incident took place early Monday near Madinah and resulted in the deaths of at least forty-two Indian nationals, many of whom were from Telangana. The accident has sent shockwaves across India, prompting swift action from the Indian government and diplomatic missions in the region.
In a message posted on X, PM Modi expressed heartfelt condolences to the affected families. He stated that both the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are actively overseeing developments and offering every possible form of support. The prime minister also wished a quick recovery for the injured and emphasized that Indian officials are coordinating closely with Saudi authorities to manage the situation.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also voiced his distress over the tragedy. He stated on X that he was “deeply shocked” by the scale of the incident and reaffirmed that Indian missions in Saudi Arabia were extending the “fullest support” to both survivors and bereaved families. He offered sympathy to the families mourning their losses and expressed hope for the recovery of those hospitalized.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy issued a statement sharing his shock, especially after early reports indicated that several victims were from Hyderabad. He contacted officials in New Delhi and instructed them to maintain constant communication with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to receive timely updates about casualties and survivors.
Initial information revealed that around forty-five Umrah pilgrims—mostly Indians—lost their lives when a bus traveling from Mecca to Madinah collided with a diesel tanker at about 1:30 a.m. on Monday. Many of the passengers were asleep when the crash occurred. Among the deceased were twenty women and eleven children from Hyderabad. Local residents and emergency teams rushed to the site to help evacuate the injured. According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar, forty-six individuals were onboard, and only one survivor is currently undergoing treatment.
In response to the tragedy, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah has set up a round-the-clock control room to assist relatives and coordinate emergency efforts. Officials remain in continuous contact with Saudi authorities to gather verified information about fatalities, injuries, and hospital admissions.
