At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims were feared dead after a passenger bus travelling from Mecca to Medina collided with a diesel tanker in Saudi Arabia early Monday, according to media reports.
The crash, which occurred at nearly 1.30 am IST, reportedly caused the bus to catch fire while most passengers were asleep.Preliminary information cited in media reports suggests that a majority of the victims were from Hyderabad, including several women and children.
Rescue operations were underway through the night, with locals rushing to the spot to assist those critically injured.
Media reports also suggest that more than 40 passengers may have died on the spot, though an official casualty count was awaited.
Later, the Indian Embassy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, said that a 24×7 control room has been set up to help with the incident.It also shared the contact of a helpline number – 8002440003.
In view of a tragic bus accident near Madina, Saudi Arabia, involving Indian Umrah pilgirms, a 24×7 Control Room has been set up in Consulate General of India, Jeddah.The contact details of the Helpline are as under:
Toll free number-8002440003@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy…
— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) November 17, 2025
Reacting to the tragedy, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, talking to reporters, said he had contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared passenger details with Indian authorities.
He also said that there may have been just one survivor on the bus. However, the same was not confirmed, he said.
“Forty-two Hajj pilgrims who were travelling from Mecca to Medina were on a bus that caught fire,” Owaisi said.
“I spoke to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, and he assured me that they are gathering information about the matter,” he added.
The Hyderabad MP also urged the Centre to facilitate the repatriation of bodies and ensure medical care for survivors.
