At least 44 Indian Umrah pilgrims and the driver were killed late Sunday night after their bus collided with a diesel tanker and caught fire near Madinah.
Only one passenger, identified as 24-year-old Mohammed Abdul Shuaib from Hyderabad, survived the crash and is in intensive care at the Saudi German Hospital.
Officials said 46 people, including the driver, were on board the bus.
Most of the victims were from Hyderabad, Telangana.
Among the dead were 28 women and 10 children. Nineteen members of a single family were also killed.
The driver’s nationality has not been confirmed.
The accident occurred around 11 p.m. Saudi time (1:30 a.m. IST) near Mufarrahat, about 25 kilometers from Madinah, while the group was traveling from Makkah after completing Umrah rituals. Many passengers were asleep at the time, which contributed to the high death toll.
The bus caught fire immediately after impact, leaving most bodies burned beyond recognition. The remains have been moved to Madinah, where burial arrangements are being made.
Authorities confirmed that the pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia under two Hyderabad-based travel agencies, Al Madeena Tours and Travels (Mallepally) and Flyzone Tours and Travels (Mehdipatnam). The group had completed their pilgrimage and was scheduled to return to Hyderabad on November 23.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are coordinating with Saudi authorities on post-accident procedures. A 24-hour control room has been set up in Jeddah for assistance and information:
• Toll-free: 8002440003
• Landlines: 0122614093, 0126614276
• Mobile: 0556122301
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, calling the incident deeply tragic. He said the Indian missions in Saudi Arabia are in close contact with local authorities and providing all possible assistance to affected families.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also conveyed condolences, while Telangana officials released the list of victims.
This is among the deadliest accidents involving Indian Umrah pilgrims in recent years.