Post by : Rameen Ariff

Early on Monday, a heartbreaking accident occurred when a bus transporting over 40 Indian pilgrims, primarily from Hyderabad, collided with a diesel tanker near Mufrihat, Saudi Arabia. The impact caused the bus to erupt in flames, tragically leaving little opportunity for escape for the passengers. A video circulated online captured the horrifying scene, with flames engulfing the vehicle.

Asaduddin Owaisi, the AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP, confirmed that 42 pilgrims from his constituency were affected, revealing that only one person has reportedly survived the crash. Owaisi is in touch with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, specifically Deputy Chief of Mission Abu Mathen George, and is coordinating with travel agencies for accurate victim information. He has also urged the Indian government to facilitate the repatriation of the deceased and to ensure medical care for those injured.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy voiced his dismay over the incident and directed state officials to work closely with the embassy in Saudi Arabia. Expressing deep condolences, S. Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs, provided assurance that the embassy and consulate are offering comprehensive support for the affected Indian nationals and their families. He posted on X, stating: “Prayers for the rapid recovery of those hurt and heartfelt condolences to all mourners.”

The Indian Consulate in Jeddah termed the event as a “tragedy” and set up a 24/7 control room to assist victims’ families. Authorities have released helpline numbers for relatives, and efforts to identify both the deceased and surviving victims are in progress.

This tragedy deeply impacts India, significantly affecting the Hyderabad community, as many victims had completed their Umrah in Mecca and were making their way to Medina at the time of the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that there were 11 women and 10 children among the deceased. Ongoing rescue efforts are in collaboration with the Indian Embassy, focusing on aiding the injured and supporting the bereaved families.

The incident highlights the dangers faced by pilgrims traveling in the area, underlining the necessity for stricter road safety protocols and diligent travel arrangements. A surge of grief and shock has been seen on social media, while governmental bodies are actively engaged in managing the aftermath.

As investigations proceed, India and Saudi Arabia are working together to ascertain the cause of the collision, ensuring that the families of the victims receive timely updates and support. This catastrophic bus fire stands as one of the deadliest accidents involving Indian pilgrims in recent memory, igniting urgent discussions on improving safety measures on pilgrimage routes.

#Global