In brief
Forty-five Indian pilgrims tragically lost their lives when their bus caught fire near Medina while traveling from Mecca. A single survivor from the accident is hospitalized. The incident has prompted responses from Indian officials, including Prime Minister Modi, who expressed deep sorrow. Control rooms have been established to assist affected families during this difficult time.
A devastating bus accident in Saudi Arabia has left 45 Indian pilgrims dead after their bus caught fire near Medina. The police commissioner of Hyderabad, where many victims hailed from, reported that only one man survived the incident and is currently in intensive care. The passengers were en route from the holy city of Mecca to Medina when the accident occurred, which has left families distraught. They had gone to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, a significant pilgrimage for Muslims.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the incident via X, emphasizing that authorities are working closely with Saudi officials to provide assistance. Emergency measures have been implemented, including establishing support control rooms in Jeddah and Hyderabad, aimed at helping families affected by this tragedy. Asaduddin Owaisi, a Hyderabad lawmaker, has reached out to the federal government for support in returning the victims' bodies back to India. While a total of 54 individuals traveled from Hyderabad, the tragic event has highlighted the risks involved in such pilgrimages, leaving many questioning safety protocols on such journeys.
