Indian Umrah pilgrims killed in Medina bus–tanker collision

At least 45 Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad were killed after a bus collided with a fuel tanker near Medina on Monday, 17 November, 2025. The group had been travelling from Mecca to Medina when the Al-Makkah Travels bus caught fire after the collision. The accident occurred about 25 kilometres from Medina around 1.30am local time (11pm IST), according to media.

Officials said the bus was completely charred, leaving identification of victims extremely difficult. DNA testing is likely to be undertaken to confirm identities, according to Telangana’s minorities welfare minister Mohammad Azharuddin.

One passenger, 24-year-old Mohammad Abdul Shoaib, survived because he had been seated beside the driver when the bus ignited. Shoaib and the driver leaped out of the window just seconds before the bus ignited and was engulfed in flames. He sustained serious injuries to his arms and legs and remains in intensive care at Saudi German Hospital.

Shoaib’s brother, Mohammed Sameer, told the Times of India that some passengers had been asleep during the crash. He added that Shoaib “was lucky to be in the cabin with the driver” at the moment of impact.

Hyderabad police commissioner V C Sajjanar said the 46 passengers on the bus were part of a 54-member group that had flown from the city to Saudi Arabia on 9 November. They were scheduled to return on 23 November after completing their pilgrimage.

Sajjanar noted that four members of the group had hired a car to travel to Medina separately, while another four remained in Mecca, leaving 46 aboard the ill-fated vehicle.

Among the dead were 22 women and 11 children. Eighteen members of a single family were also reported to be among those killed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences in a post on X, writing that his thoughts were with families who had lost loved ones and that he prayed for the swift recovery of those injured.

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju also expressed condolences.

The Telangana government announced that it would send a team led by Azharuddin to Saudi Arabia to coordinate relief measures and support for bereaved families.

Authorities also approved an ex gratia payment of INR 500,000 (approximately US$6,000) for each family of the deceased. Support will also be provided for funerals in Saudi Arabia in accordance with tradition, and two family members of each victim will be flown to the country.

Azharuddin said a control room had been established at Haj House to provide information to families and to assist with coordination. He emphasised the challenges posed by the condition of the remains and confirmed that DNA testing may be required.

Saudi authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Early reports indicated that the bus had been stationary at the roadside when the fuel tanker collided with it, triggering an explosion.

Officers from the Indian Consulate in Jeddah visited the accident site and the hospitals where victims were taken. They are working with local authorities to support survivors, verify details, and facilitate communication with families in India.

The tragedy has prompted widespread mourning in Hyderabad, where many of the victims had departed just over a week earlier to perform Umrah. Local officials said they were in continuous contact with Saudi authorities to ensure that all necessary procedures are followed swiftly and respectfully.