Hyderabadi eyewitness details Saurdi Arbaia bus accident horror: 'Takleef bardasht nahi ho rahi, bus jal gayi'

Saudi Arabia bus accident

A tragic bus crash in Saudi Arabia has left families in India, particularly in Hyderabad, desperately trying to verify the fate of their loved ones. The accident, which took place near Mufrihat at around 1:30 am (IST), involved a bus of Umrah pilgrims travelling from Mecca to Medina and a diesel tanker. The collision was so severe that the bus went up in flames, killing at least 45 people.

In Hyderabad, Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said, “Forty-five people have died, and there is only one survivor who is currently in the hospital.”

Among those who first witnessed the horrifying scene was a man believed to be from Hyderabad. In a viral video widely circulated online, he is heard speaking to someone over the phone, relaying what he had just seen. The call begins with the usual greetings but quickly moves into a distraught narration of the tragedy unfolding before him.

The eyewitness explains in the video, “Information dena ye hai ke, Mecca se Medina ko bus aa rahi thi bhai... Wo bus poori jal gayi. Usme se ek aadmi, ek driver bach gaya bhai. Munawwar bol ke naam bata raha. Hyderabad ke log hai usme.” He stresses that he is reaching out so families can immediately check on anyone who might have been travelling on that route.

His voice, filled with distress, continues: “Agar koi bhi hai, apne gharo ko maloom kar lo bhai thoda. Me bhi abhi abhi bus ko dekha. Me takleef bardasht nahi ho rahi bhai. Me video nikala. Ek aadmi merko number diya. Me phone kar ke logo ko itelah kar raha hu.” Before ending the call, he says that informing others is the only help he can offer at that moment.

As more information trickled in, it emerged that numerous Hyderabad residents were among the victims. About 16 of the pilgrims were reportedly travelling through two agencies based in the city -- Al-Meena Hajj and Umrah Travels. Early reports point to Mohammad Abdul Shoeb as the only known survivor from the bus, and he is receiving treatment at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

The scale of the tragedy prompted immediate responses from Indian authorities. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar shared his reaction on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “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 also extended condolences, adding, “Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

Both Indian missions in Saudi Arabia -- the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah -- have been coordinating closely with local authorities. The Consulate General in Jeddah described the incident as a “tragic” bus accident and has opened a 24x7 control room for assistance, listing 8002440003 as the contact number for those seeking information.

Back in India, the Telangana administration has also taken steps to support families awaiting updates. A control room has been established at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi, with officials working to determine exactly how many individuals from the state were on board the ill-fated bus. As officials sift through records provided by travel agencies and cross-check information with Saudi authorities, families continue to wait anxiously for confirmed details.

In Hyderabad, political leaders have voiced their grief as well. Recalling the scale of the disaster and the fears among local families, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi noted publicly that early indications pointed to only one person surviving among the Hyderabad pilgrims. His statement echoed the growing concerns within the community regarding those still unaccounted for.

With investigations underway and diplomatic coordination continuing, the full picture of what led to the collision is still being pieced together.