Saudi Arabia Bus Accident Tragedy: Dozens of Umrah Visitors Killed

Liputan6.com, Jakarta A tragic incident rocked the spiritual journey of Indian Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

The bus they were traveling on was involved in a horrific bus accident in Saudi Arabia, resulting in dozens of deaths.

The fatal accident happened in the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025.

The tragic incident is estimated to have occurred around 1:30 a.m. Indian time (IST) or around 11:00 p.m. local time on Sunday evening, November 16, 2025.

The accident occurred on the highway connecting the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina, approximately 25 to 40 kilometers before reaching Medina.

The bus carrying the Umrah pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker truck, sparking a massive fire that engulfed both vehicles.

The incident drew significant attention due to the high number of casualties and the total destruction of the bus, which made identification difficult.

Umrah Tragedy | 42 Pilgrims MartyredA horrific accident in Saudi Arabia has taken the lives of 42 Umrah pilgrims, many of them women and children from Hyderabad. Their bus collided with a diesel tanker, and within moments, flames engulfed everything.The Telangana Government… pic.twitter.com/WRC7CfPOKF

— Muslim IT Cell (@Muslim_ITCell) November 17, 2025

The Saudi Arabia bus accident claimed at least 45 lives.

Most of the victims were Umrah pilgrims from India, particularly from Hyderabad, Telangana, who were en route to Medina after performing the Hajj in Mecca.

Initial reports even mentioned 42 fatalities, with 20 women and 11 children among those killed.

This tragedy was made even more heartbreaking by the loss of 18 members of one family, spanning three generations and nine children.

Of the 46 passengers on the bus, only one person survived: Mohammed Abdul Shoeb (24) from Hyderabad.

He reportedly survived because he was sitting next to the driver and managed to escape through the window of the burning bus.

The group of 54 pilgrims originally departed from Hyderabad for Jeddah on November 9, 2025, and was scheduled to return on November 23, 2025.

After some pilgrims continued their journey separately, the remaining 46 were on the bus that crashed en route to Medina.

Shoeb is currently hospitalized with injuries to his arms and legs, the sole witness to this horrific event.

The Indian government immediately responded to the sad news of the Saudi Arabian bus accident by expressing its deepest condolences.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed sympathy for the tragedy that befell its citizens.

“My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured.”

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah have responded swiftly, establishing a 24-hour control room and providing a hotline for the families of the victims.

The Telangana State Government also expressed its concern by announcing compensation of ₹5 lakh for each victim’s family.

A special delegation, led by Minister for Minority Welfare Mohammed Azharuddin, was sent to Saudi Arabia to coordinate aid and ensure proper care for the victims. 

Given the difficulty of repatriating the bodies, the Telangana government has decided that burials will be held in Saudi Arabia, in accordance with the religious traditions of each victim.

Meanwhile, Saudi authorities have launched a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Rescue teams face significant challenges in identifying victims due to the total destruction of the bus.

Saudi authorities have not yet released an official casualty figure but are continuing their efforts in the post-accident response process.