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NEW DELHI : A tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia’s Madina early Monday has reportedly claimed the lives of several Indian Umrah pilgrims, many of whom are believed to be from Telangana.
The vehicle, carrying nearly 40 Indian nationals, is said to have collided with an oil tanker around 1:30 am (IST). The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has established a dedicated control room to oversee assistance and coordination efforts for those affected.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is currently visiting Russia, expressed profound sorrow over the incident.
He stated that both the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are extending complete support to the injured individuals and the families of the victims. He also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy voiced his concern after receiving initial reports that the pilgrims were traveling from Mecca to Madina and that individuals from Hyderabad were among those involved. He instructed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to gather comprehensive details about the incident.
According to a statement from his office, the Chief Minister has also directed officials to communicate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi Embassy to ensure immediate relief efforts are underway. Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao has already spoken with Coordination Secretary Gaurav Uppal in Delhi to issue necessary instructions.
A control room has been activated at the state Secretariat to continuously track updates, facilitate relief operations, and provide information to the families of those affected.
