Over Indian Umrah pilgrims were killed when their bus travelling from Mecca to Madinah collided with a diesel tanker early Monday morning, the Consulate General of India, Jeddah set up a 24x7 Control Room.
V C Sajjanar, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, told Indian Express that 45 people were killed in the accident. "A total of 54 people travelled from Hyderabad to Jeddah on November 9. Their travel plan was from November 9 to 23. While eight of them escaped the accident by choosing to travel separately, 46 boarded a bus from Mecca to Medina. The bus met with an accident and 45 of them died,” the Commissioner said.
"In light of a tragic bus accident late last night involving Umrah pilgrims, near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, a 24x7 Control Room has been set up in the Consulate General of India, Jeddah. We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are also in touch with the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry and other local authorities. They are also in touch with the concerned Umrah operators. A team of Consulate staff and Indian community volunteers is on the ground at various hospitals and sites...," it posted on X.
Emergency teams and local officials reached the site quickly to carry out rescue work. Authorities are still confirming how many people died and their identities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed profound sorrow following the accident. "Deeply saddened by the accident in Medinah involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with Saudi Arabian authorities," he said.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar also expressed condolences over the loss of Indian nationals in the road 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," he posted in a tweet on X.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also condoled the death of Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and urged the Centre to closely coordinate with state authorities to provide support to the affected families.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has expressed shock over the bus accident. He immediately ordered the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to find out how many Telangana residents were affected.
The state government has also released two helpline numbers for affected families. The numbers are: +91 79979 59754 and +91 99129 19545.
Owaisi reacts
Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and urged the central government to ensure that the bodies of those who died are brought back to India quickly.
Speaking to ANI, Owaisi said he had already spoken with Abu Mathen George, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, to get updates on the situation. "I have contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared the passengers’ details with the Riyadh Embassy and the Foreign Secretary. I request the Union Government, especially EAM Dr S. Jaishankar, to bring the bodies back to India and, if anyone is injured, ensure that they receive proper medical treatment," he said.
Rijiju posts on X
Union Minister of Minority & Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, tweets, "I'm shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic bus accident on the Medina–Mecca highway in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of Indian pilgrims. We are in touch with our Embassy officials who are gathering more details & extending all possible assistance. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families..."
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