A spiritual journey turned into a heartbreaking nightmare on Monday as a bus carrying Indian pilgrims collided with an oil tanker in Saudi Arabia, leaving at least 45 people dead. The horrific accident occurred on the highway connecting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, where the bus burst into flames upon impact, trapping the passengers inside.
The victims, all hailing from Hyderabad, Telangana, were on an Umrah pilgrimage. They had completed their rituals in Mecca and were traveling to Medina when the tragedy struck.
A Night of Horror
The crash took place around 1:30 AM local time (11:00 PM IST). According to reports, the bus rammed into a fuel tanker, triggering an instant inferno. Most passengers were asleep at the time and stood no chance of escape.
Mohammed Shoeb, the sole survivor of the crash, recounted the terrifying moments. Seated next to the driver, he managed to break a window and jump out just as the vehicle was engulfed in flames. “It happened in a split second. The fire was everywhere,” he reportedly told his family over the phone from a hospital where he is being treated for injuries.
Families Devastated
The human cost of this accident is staggering. Among the deceased are 22 women and 11 children. Heart-wrenchingly, reports suggest that 18 members of a single extended family were lost in the blaze. The group was part of a larger contingent of 54 pilgrims who had flown to Saudi Arabia on November 9 and were scheduled to return home this coming Saturday.
Government Steps In
As news of the disaster reached India, a wave of grief followed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep condolences, stating that his thoughts were with the bereaved families.
The Telangana state government has announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for the kin of each deceased pilgrim. A special team, led by Minority Welfare Minister Mohammad Azharuddin, is being dispatched to Saudi Arabia to coordinate with local authorities. Their primary focus will be to assist in the identification of bodies—many of which are charred beyond recognition—potentially requiring DNA testing, and to arrange for last rites.
Emergency Helpline: A control room has been set up at the Haj House in Hyderabad to assist distressed families. The helpline numbers are: 79979 59754 and 99129 19545.
This devastating incident serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life, turning a journey of faith into a moment of national mourning.