Saudi Bus Accident Claims Lives of Indian Umrah Pilgrims; Leaders Express Deep Grief

Dated 17th November 2025

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid

Editor in Chief

Madinah | Saudi Arabia | A tragic road accident took place early on Monday near Madinah in Saudi Arabia. A bus carrying Umrah pilgrims from Telangana collided with a diesel tanker while travelling from Makkah to Madinah. The accident happened about 25 kilometres before reaching Madinah.

According to official information, there were 46 passengers on the bus. Sadly, many people lost their lives in the accident. Only one passenger managed to escape and is currently receiving treatment.

Sources said that eighteen members of one family, including nine children, are among the pilgrims who died. Their relatives in Hyderabad informed the media that the family was supposed to return to India on Saturday.

The Telangana Cabinet has announced ₹5 lakh ex-gratia for each victim’s family. The government has also decided that the deceased will be laid to rest in Saudi Arabia as per religious customs. Arrangements will be made to send two family members from each bereaved family to Saudi Arabia for the last rites.

Leaders Express Grief Over Madinah Bus Accident

President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, expressed deep sadness over the tragic accident in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. In her post on X, she said that she was extremely sad to hear about the unfortunate loss of lives of many Indian nationals. She conveyed her deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

Vice President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, also expressed his pain and grief. He said that he was deeply pained by the tragic road accident involving Indian nationals near Madinah. He shared his thoughts with the affected families during this difficult time and prayed for the fast recovery of the injured.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shared his message on X, saying that he was deeply saddened by the accident in Madinah. He expressed his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured. He also informed that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible help, and that Indian officials are in close contact with Saudi authorities.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar also reacted to the incident. He said that he was deeply shocked by the accident involving Indian nationals in Madinah. He informed that the Embassy and Consulate are giving full support to the affected families. He offered his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

AICC President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep sadness over the tragic accident near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, which involved several Indian nationals. In his message on X, he conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

He urged the Union Government and the Ministry of External Affairs to work closely with state authorities and the victims’ families in India to ensure proper support and relief during this difficult time.

Kharge also informed that he has directed the Chief Minister of Telangana to provide all possible assistance to the affected families. He said that the Telangana Government is closely watching the situation and helping those in need.

Support Arrangements by Indian Consulate in Jeddah

In a press release, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah informed that a 24×7 Control Room has been set up following the tragic bus accident near Madinah involving Umrah pilgrims. The Consulate shared emergency contact numbers for help and information:

Helpline Numbers: 8002440003 (Toll Free), 00966122614093, 00966126614276

WhatsApp Helpline: 00966556122301

The Consulate expressed its deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

The Embassy of India in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are in close coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah and other local authorities. They are also communicating with the concerned Umrah operators for all necessary support.

A team of Consulate officials and volunteers from the Indian community are present at different hospitals and accident-related locations to assist the affected people.

The Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are providing full support and are also coordinating with Telangana State officials to help the families of the victims.

Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, also expressed his shock and sadness over the tragic bus accident on the Madinah–Makkah highway in Saudi Arabia. In his message on X, he said that he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives of Indian pilgrims in this accident.

He informed that the Government of India is in touch with Embassy officials who are collecting more details and providing all possible assistance to the affected people. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength for them during this difficult time.

He also shared the emergency helpline numbers for support:

8002440003 (Toll Free)

0122614093

0126614276

0556122301 (WhatsApp)

Control Room set up at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi

A control room has also been started at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi after the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia involving Indian pilgrims travelling from Makkah to Madinah. Senior officials at Telangana Bhavan are directly in touch with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.

Control Room Contact Numbers at Telangana Bhavan, New Delhi:

Smt. Vandhana, PS to Resident Commissioner & Liaison Head: +91 98719 99044

Sri CH. Chakravarthi, Public Relations Officer: +91 99583 22143

Sri Rakshith Nail, Liaison Officer: +91 96437 23157

Telangana Minority Affairs Minister Mohammed Azharuddin expressed deep shock over the tragic bus accident near Madinah in Saudi Arabia that killed and injured several Indian Umrah pilgrims. In his message, he conveyed his heartfelt prayers to all the affected families, especially those from Hyderabad who were travelling on the ill-fated bus.

He informed that Chief Minister Shri Revanth Reddy has taken immediate action and directed officials to collect full details of the incident. The State Government is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi authorities to ensure that all required support and relief measures are provided without any delay.

A special control room has been started in Telangana to assist families and closely monitor the situation. The helpline numbers are:

📞 79979 59754

📞 99129 19545

Minister Azharuddin said that the Government of Telangana stands firmly with the bereaved families in this difficult time and assured that every possible help will be extended through the Minority Welfare Department.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of several pilgrims from Telangana. In his message, he said that he was deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident during the holy Umrah journey.

He prayed for the souls of the deceased to rest in peace and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He also wished them strength and courage to face this difficult time.

The tragic loss of so many pilgrims has brought immense grief to their families and communities in Telangana. Authorities in India and Saudi Arabia are working together to extend all possible assistance and ensure that the affected families receive timely support. Prayers continue across the country for the injured to recover soon and for strength to the bereaved families.

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid