For a group of Indian pilgrims from Hyderabad, it was meant to be an uplifting spiritual journey from Mecca to Madinah.
Disaster struck when the bus hit a tanker, and many of them succumbed to injuries.
According to a section of the media, 42 Indian pilgrims were reported dead. Vibes of India awaits details on the exact number of casualties.
Back home in Hyderabad, the pilgrims were waiting for updates. Understandably, they were desperately reaching out to travel operators and prayed for some hopeful news, according to the latest reports.
The incident occurred around 1.30 am IST at Mufrihat, about 160 km from Madinah. There were over 40 passengers on the bus. Only one has survived. Others were charred to death on the spot, according to initial reports received by the state government.
The group departed from Hyderabad on November 9. It had 20 women and 11 children.
Mohammad Manzoor (50), Zaheen Begum (19), Shaukat Begam (57), Farheen Begum (43), Zakia Begum (47), Mastan Mohammad (55), Parveen Begum (35), Sohail Mohammad (23), Abdul Mohammad (24), Mohammad Maulana (62), Abdul Mohammad (57), Ghousiya Begum (46), Shehnaz Begum (41), Rahmat Bee Rehmatbee (80) and Raheem Unnisa (60) are some of the dead pilgrims identified, even as emergency teams rushed to the site for rescue operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened” by the accident, expressing condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. He said the Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah were providing all possible assistance and confirmed that Indian officials were in close touch with Saudi authorities. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has set up a 24×7 control room to assist affected families. The helpline numbers shared by the mission include a toll-free line: 8002440003.
It issued a press release stating that a 24×7 Control Room has been set up following the tragedy.
The Consulate expressed condolences and said a team of consulate staff and Indian community volunteers is stationed at various hospitals and sites.
The Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah said they are in touch with the Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry, local authorities, and the concerned Umrah operators. Officials also confirmed coordination with the Telangana government to assist families of the victims.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he was “deeply shocked” by the accident. In a message on X, he stated that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were providing the “fullest support” to affected nationals and their families. He offered sincere condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed shock. He said the government was in touch with Embassy officials who were extending all possible assistance.
A control room has been set up in the state secretariat with the numbers: +917997959754 and +919912919545.
Also Read: Pilgrim Deaths In Mecca Put Spotlight On Underworld Of Illicit Tour Operators https://www.vibesofindia.com/pilgrim-deaths-in-mecca-put-spotlight-on-underworld-of-illicit-tour-operators/
