RIYADH – A tragic bus accident involving Indian pilgrims occurred near the holy city of Madina overnight, the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, stating he was “deeply saddened” by the incident and praying for the swift recovery of the injured.
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Officials said the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance to the victims. While Indian media have reported that dozens may have been killed, authorities have not yet confirmed an official toll.
Bus accidents involving pilgrims have occurred in the past, including a March 2023 crash near Makkah that killed 20 and injured over two dozen, and an October 2019 collision near Madina that left 35 foreigners dead. Millions of Muslims visit Saudi Arabia each year for Umrah pilgrimages outside the Hajj season.
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Saudi Arabia relies heavily on pilgrimages as part of its expanding tourism sector, aimed at diversifying the economy away from fossil fuels. The kingdom is also home to over two million Indian nationals who contribute significantly to its labor market and remittances to India.