A devastating collision between a bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims and a diesel tanker near Medina in Saudi Arabia claimed 42 lives early Monday, leaving 24-year-old Mohd Abdul Shoiab from Hyderabad as the sole survivor. Sources indicate Shoiab was seated near the driver when the impact occurred around 1:30 AM IST, possibly shielding him from the worst of the fire that engulfed the vehicle. Approximately 46 passengers, mostly from Hyderabad, were aboard the bus travelling from Mecca to Medina when the tragedy unfolded.

Shoiab has been admitted to a hospital in Saudi Arabia, though his current medical condition remains undisclosed. The Indian Consulate in Jeddah confirmed the establishment of a dedicated control room to coordinate emergency assistance and support for affected families. Diplomatic missions in Riyadh and Jeddah are working round-the-clock to facilitate identification, medical care for the injured, and repatriation arrangements for the deceased.

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Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed senior officials to immediately gather complete details of the tragedy and coordinate with central authorities. The state government promptly established a control room at the Secretariat in Hyderabad to monitor developments, disseminate verified information, and assist relatives of the victims. Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao has already engaged with the Ministry of External Affairs to expedite relief measures.

As grief envelops families across Hyderabad, authorities in both India and Saudi Arabia continue intensive efforts to ascertain the exact circumstances of the collision and provide closure to those affected. The survival of Mohd Abdul Shoiab amid such overwhelming loss stands as the only glimmer of hope emerging from an otherwise catastrophic incident on the sacred pilgrimage route.

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