A devastating accident occurred near Medina, Saudi Arabia, where a bus carrying pilgrims on their Umrah journey collided with a diesel tanker, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 42 lives. The victims are primarily Indian nationals, many of whom hail from the city of Hyderabad. Following this calamitous incident, the government of Telangana has reached out to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to coordinate efforts for updates and assistance. In a statement, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy emphasized the need for seamless communication between local authorities and the Indian Embassy to ensure that the needs of the victims' families are met.

Hyderabad Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi expressed his condolences and highlighted the urgency of the situation, confirming the presence of 42 pilgrims on the ill-fated bus that met with disaster during their journey from Mecca to Medina. Owaisi reported that he had discussions with Abu Mathen George, the deputy chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy, who assured him that efforts were underway to collect pertinent information regarding the incident.

The MP also revealed that he had contacted two travel agencies from Hyderabad to relay details about the affected passengers to the Embassy and the Foreign Secretary in hopes of expediting the process. He urged the Union Government, particularly External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, to take immediate measures for the repatriation of the deceased bodies to India. Moreover, he called for proper medical treatment for any injured individuals as the situation unfolded.

This tragic event underscores the importance of safe travel for pilgrims and highlights the need for international protocols during such journeys. As the search for further details continues, the government is under pressure to provide answers and ensure the welfare of those affected by this calamity.