Saudi Bus Crash: Andhra Governor Leads Delegation to Assist Victims' Families
Andhra Governor rushes to Madina after horrific crash.
Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice S Abdul Nazeer, accompanied by Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) Arun Kumar Chatterjee, will depart for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to coordinate comprehensive relief efforts with local authorities, including the Ministry of Haj and Umrah. The delegation is also expected to attend the last rites of the deceased and ensure dignified repatriation of the mortal remains.
The tragedy occurred on November 17 when a bus carrying 46 Indian Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad collided with an oil tanker approximately 25 kilometres from Madina, triggering an immediate explosion that completely incinerated the vehicle. Forty-five passengers were killed instantly, leaving only one survivor, Md Abdul Shoaib, who managed to escape the flames.
Of the original group of 54 pilgrims who had arrived in Jeddah on November 9 for a scheduled Umrah tour ending November 23, four had travelled separately to Madina by private car and four remained in Makkah for personal reasons. The remaining 46 boarded the ill-fated bus that met with the catastrophic accident on the Makkah-Madina highway.
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The Ministry of External Affairs expressed profound sorrow and extended deepest condolences to the bereaved families while pledging full governmental support. Indian diplomatic missions in Riyadh and Jeddah are working in close coordination with Saudi authorities to accelerate identification of the victims through forensic and DNA procedures and to facilitate the urgent travel of immediate family members to the Kingdom.
This incident ranks among the most devastating road accidents involving Indian pilgrims in recent decades and has prompted an outpouring of grief across India. The Government of India remains fully committed to providing all necessary assistance to the affected families and to ensuring the swift and respectful return of the mortal remains.
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