At least 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims killed in Saudi bus crash

At least 45 people, most of them from Hyderabad, were killed in a bus accident in Saudi Arabia on Monday, the city police chief said, citing preliminary information.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said a total of 54 people travelled to Jeddah from Hyderabad on November 9 and were scheduled to return on November 23. Of these, four travelled separately by car to Madina on Sunday, while another four stayed back in Mecca.

According to Sajjanar, 46 people were on the ill-fated bus, which collided with an oil tanker about 25 km from Madina. Only one person survived and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. "We are getting information that 45 people died. They were supposed to return to Hyderabad on 23rd (of November)," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the accident, saying he was "deeply saddened" by the incident in Saudi Arabia's Medinah, which involved several Indian Umrah pilgrims.

"Deeply saddened by the accident in Medinah involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones," Modi said in a post on X. "I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured," he added.

Deeply saddened by the accident in Medinah involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2025

The prime minister noted that the Indian embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah are providing full support and are in close contact with Saudi authorities.

AIMIM MLA Majid Hussain said, "We have received information that over 40 people died in the accident, and we are coordinating with the families."

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana | Bus accident in Saudi Arabia | Nampally MLA Mohammad Majid Hussain says, "A very unfortunate accident took place in Saudi Arabia in which many people died in a bus accident. We are in touch with the authorities and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi is in… pic.twitter.com/5SveT2mEB4

— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2025

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi expressed anguish over the deaths and urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to help bring back the bodies and provide treatment to the injured.

#WATCH | Delhi | On the statement of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Delhi terror blasts, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, "I condemn the Delhi terror blasts and there is no place for terrorism....The way they planned this, we condemn all of these things... The investigation is… pic.twitter.com/OjLNkwAm1t

— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2025

The Consulate General of India in Jeddah and the Embassy in Riyadh confirmed they are providing all possible assistance, coordinating closely with officials in Telangana to support the affected families.

Press Release on a tragic bus accident late last night involving Indian Umrah pilgrims, near Madinah, Saudi Arabia.@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @IndianEmbRiyadh @diaspora_india @CPVIndia @SecretaryCPVOIA pic.twitter.com/kiNt3XY1aW

— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) November 17, 2025

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said he was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the tragic bus accident on the Medina-Mecca highway.

I'm shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic bus accident on the Medina–Mecca highway in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of Indian pilgrims.

We are in touch with our Embassy officials who are gathering more details & extending all possible assistance.
My heartfelt…

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) November 17, 2025

"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," he posted on X.