Forty-five pilgrims from Hyderabad, who had embarked on a sacred umrah journey, lost their lives in a horrific bus accident in Saudi Arabia early Monday.
The tragedy occurred on the road between Mecca and Medina, turning a spiritual voyage into an unimaginable nightmare for dozens of families back home.
Only one passenger is believed to have survived the crash.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar confirmed that a group of 54 pilgrims had departed from Hyderabad to Jeddah on November 9 for a two-week pilgrimage.
While eight travelers chose to proceed separately and escaped the tragedy, 46 boarded the ill-fated bus.
The vehicle crashed en route to Medina, killing 45 of them. “Their travel plan was from November 9 to 23… only one person survived,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing deep grief, wrote on X that he was “deeply saddened” by the tragic loss of lives.
Extending condolences to the bereaved families, he assured that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were providing every possible assistance and coordinating closely with Saudi authorities.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also expressed shock and directed officials to gather full details and extend all necessary support.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said the accident took place about 25 km from Medina.
After speaking with Indian Embassy officials in Riyadh, he urged them to ensure the safety and care of the lone survivor. He added that the group had reportedly booked their pilgrimage through two different travel agencies.
To assist distressed families frantically searching for information, the Telangana government set up a dedicated control room with helplines +91 79979 59754 and +91 99129 19545.
The Chief Minister also instructed Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy to coordinate with the Union MEA and the Saudi Embassy for updates and relief procedures.
The state has additionally activated a control room at Telangana Bhavan in Delhi. Families may contact +91 98719 99044, +91 99583 22143, or +91 96437 23157 for assistance.
Resident Commissioner Gaurav Uppal has been tasked with gathering further details and supporting affected families.
Back in Hyderabad, grief-stricken relatives rushed to the offices of travel agencies early Monday, desperate for any information about their loved ones.
At Al Makkah Travel Agency, officials said they immediately contacted their partners in Riyadh and Mecca to reach Medina and confirm details.
At least 20 of the victims had booked through this agency, and 16 of them were aboard the ill-fated bus.
“We heard the bus collided with a diesel tanker and burst into flames. There is no confirmed information about survivors.
We had spoken to many pilgrims before they left for Medina… now none of them can be reached,” said travel agent Aijaz Mohammed.
Local leaders said the victims belonged to Mallepally, Asifnagar, and Falaknuma areas—neighborhoods now engulfed in grief, where entire communities mourn the loss of friends, relatives, and familiar faces who left home for a holy pilgrimage but will never return.
Every year, hundreds of Hyderabad residents travel to Saudi Arabia for the umrah pilgrimage, relying on travel agencies offering packages for visits to Mecca and Medina.
What was meant to be a journey of faith and blessings has instead left a trail of heartbreak—families shattered, dreams cut short, and a city mourning one of its darkest moments.
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