In the early hours of Monday, a heartbreaking tragedy struck on the road to Madina, Saudi Arabia, when a bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims met with a catastrophic accident. Initial reports indicate that the bus, which was transporting around 40 Indian nationals — many of them from Telangana — collided with an oil tanker at approximately 1:30 am IST.
The impact was severe, and several passengers are feared dead, with many others injured. Families across Telangana, especially Hyderabad, are anxiously awaiting updates.
The Indian Consulate in Jeddah moved swiftly, setting up a dedicated control room to coordinate assistance and support. The Embassy in Riyadh is also actively involved in managing relief and communication with affected families.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is currently in Russia, expressed profound grief over the incident. He assured that Indian authorities are extending full support to those affected and offered heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. He further prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also responded with deep concern. Upon learning the preliminary details — including reports that several Hyderabad residents may be among the victims — he instructed top state officials to gather complete information, coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi Embassy, and ensure that relief measures are initiated without delay.
A control room has been established at the Telangana Secretariat to continuously monitor the situation and assist families with real-time information and support.
At moments like these, news becomes more than headlines — it becomes a reminder of how fragile life can be. Behind every name is a family waiting by the phone, hoping for good news, praying for strength, and holding on to faith. May every affected family find courage, and may those injured return home safely.
