Hyderabad in Turmoil: Families Flee to Travel Agency After Deadly Saudi Bus Crash
Over 40 Indian pilgrims, mostly from Telangana, killed in Saudi Arabia road accident; families seek government support.
Panic and grief gripped Hyderabad on Monday as dozens of relatives rushed to a local travel agency after learning that more than 40 Indian pilgrims, most of them from Telangana, were killed in a horrific road accident in Saudi Arabia. The tragedy occurred when a bus carrying pilgrims from Mecca to Medina collided with a diesel tanker near Mufrihat and burst into flames in the early hours of the morning.
Eyewitnesses and relatives recounted harrowing accounts of how multiple families had members on the ill-fated bus. “Seven members of my family went to Saudi Arabia last week. We got to know about the accident this morning,” a relative told the media, adding that they were seeking government help to travel to Saudi Arabia. Another man said that his entire family of seven was in the bus and urged officials to facilitate their visit to the crash site.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah termed the incident “tragic” and activated a 24x7 control room to assist families. It released emergency helplines — 8002440003 (toll-free), 00966122614093, 00966126614276, and 00966556122301 (WhatsApp) — to provide timely information and support. Consular officials and Indian community volunteers are currently stationed at hospitals and the accident site to help with identification and coordination with Saudi authorities.
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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to Russia, expressed deep shock over the tragedy and assured full government support for the affected families. “Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected,” he posted on social media, offering condolences to the bereaved and prayers for those injured. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has also established a control room at the State Secretariat to monitor relief activities and maintain communication with the families.
Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said he had spoken to officials at the Indian mission in Riyadh and shared details of the passengers with the Foreign Secretary. He confirmed that authorities were gathering accurate information regarding survivors and fatalities. The devastating incident has shocked Telangana, leaving families distraught and waiting anxiously for official updates from Saudi Arabia.
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