RIYADH – A devastating road accident claimed the lives of 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims on Monday when their bus, travelling from Makkah to Madinah, collided with an oil tanker. Local authorities rushed to the scene as rescue teams worked for hours to retrieve victims and control the aftermath of the fiery crash.
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Officials said the exact number of casualties is still being verified, as the condition of the bodies has made identification challenging. According to initial reports, the bus was carrying 43 pilgrims, including 20 women and 11 children, when the collision occurred.
Indian media reported that at least 16 of the victims were from Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana. Of the 43 passengers on board, only one individual is believed to have survived, making this one of the deadliest accidents involving Umrah pilgrims in recent years.
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Following the tragedy, the Indian Consulate in Jeddah activated an emergency helpline to assist families seeking information about their loved ones. Saudi authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision.