Dozens of Indian pilgrims died in a bus accident in Saudi Arabia.
Sole survivor: Mohd Abdul Shoiab, 24, from Hyderabad, survived and is receiving treatment in a hospital.
At least 45 people died after a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims collided with a tanker truck near Medina, causing a massive fire. The group had traveled from Hyderabad to Jeddah on November 9, planning to return on November 23. Of the 54 travelers, four went separately by car to Medina and four remained in Mecca. The remaining 46 were on the bus that crashed about 25 km from Medina at around 1:30 a.m. (Indian Standard Time) near Mufrihat, shortly after completing their pilgrimage rituals. Only one passenger survived and is receiving hospital treatment. The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has set up a 24-hour call center for families, with a free helpline: 8002440003. Follow live updates.
45 dead, 1 survivor. List of victims: What we know so far
Tragic accident: A bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker truck near Medina, Saudi Arabia, on Monday.
Victims: At least 42 Indian pilgrims are feared dead.
Passenger details: The group had traveled from Hyderabad to Jeddah on November 9; many of the victims are from Hyderabad, Telangana.
Bus occupancy: Of the 54 passengers, four traveled separately to Medina by car, four remained in Mecca, leaving 46 on the bus.
Time and location: The accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. (Indian Standard Time) near Mufrihat, about 25 km from Medina, as the bus was returning from Mecca after completing the Hajj pilgrimage rituals.
Help numbers: The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has established a 24-hour operational control center; toll-free helpline: 8002440003.
Leadership response: Prime Minister Modi and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed their dismay, offered their condolences, and confirmed the support of the embassy and consulate to the families and the injured.
Telangana government actions: Chief Minister Revanth Reddy instructed officials to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and Saudi authorities and established a control center in New Delhi to provide assistance to the families.
Families await news: Relatives in Hyderabad are anxiously seeking updates from authorities and travel agencies.
Telangana Announces Compensation of 500,000 Rupees
The decision was made at the State Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, on Monday.
It was also decided to send a delegation of government representatives, headed by the Minister of Minority Welfare, Mohammed Azharuddin, to Saudi Arabia. The delegation will also include a member of the Assembly of the Muslim Union of India (AIMIM) and a senior official from the minority welfare department.
According to an official statement, the Cabinet also decided that the funeral rites for the victims of the accident will be held in Saudi Arabia in accordance with their religious traditions.
The Cabinet also decided to make the necessary arrangements to send at least two relatives of the deceased to Saudi Arabia.
What's Your Reaction?
