Fourty two Indians were charred to death when a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims crashed into a diesel tanker near Medina on Monday, according to local media in Saudi Arabia. Most of the victims are believed to be from Telangana.
Preliminary information cited in media reports suggests that a majority of the victims were from Hyderabad, including several women and children.
The group had left Hyderabad on November 9 and was returning to Medina after offering Umrah prayers in Mecca when the tragedy struck, a relative of the victims said. They had travelled through Al Meena and Al Mecca Travels, Nampally.
Telangana govt coordinates with Embassy, sets up 24x7 control room
The Telangana government said it is in touch with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. In an official statement, it confirmed that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has alerted officials in New Delhi and directed them to work closely with embassy authorities.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday directed officials to gather details about the bus accident in Saudi Arabia involving some residents from the city.
Revanth Reddy asked Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and DGP Shivadhar Reddy to contact the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, an official release said.
The government provided phone numbers of the Control Room set up in the Secretariat here to provide information to the families of those involved in the accident. They are +91 79979 59754 and +91 99129 19545.
Deeply saddened: PM Modi on bus accident
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he was "deeply saddened" by the bus accident in Saudi Arabia's Medinah, in which several Indian Umrah pilgrims died.
"Deeply saddened by the accident in Medinah involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones," Modi said in a post on X.
"Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with Saudi Arabian authorities," the post read.
EAM Jaishankar condoles deaths, assures support
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the incident as deeply tragic, extending condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the injured. In a post on X, he assured full support to the families of the victims and said Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals, and families affected by this accident.
"Deeply shocked at the accident involving Indian nationals in Medinah, Saudi Arabia. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident. Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X.
The Indian Embassy in Jeddah announced a helpline number for families of those affected by the accident.
In a post on X, the mission said, “In view of a tragic bus accident near Madina, Saudi Arabia, involving Indian Umrah pilgrims, a 24x7 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.”
Asaduddin Owaisi expresses grief, urges Centre to bring back bodies of Indian pilgrims
Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP and AIMIM chief, Asaduddin Owaisi, on Monday expressed grief after a bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims on its way to Medina from Mecca met with an accident in Saudi Arabia and urged the Centre to bring back the bodies.
Owaisi told ANI that he has spoken to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, and also contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared the passengers' details with the Riyadh Embassy and the Foreign Secretary. He said that there were 42 people on the bus that was involved in the accident.
A local resident in Hyderabad, Mufti Asifullah Qasmi, told ANI that seven members of his family went for a pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. He said that Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaddudin Owaisi has spoken to them and assured them of providing further details regarding their family members.
"A batch of 45-46 members went to Saudi Arabia from Hyderabad...The bus carrying them caught fire, and as soon as we received information, we contacted the travel agent. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi spoke with me. We urge the government to allow us to go to Saudi Arabia. Seven members of my family went to Saudi Arabia," he said.
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