Screengrab showing the bus on fire in Saudi Arabia.
Credit: X
In a tragic incident, several Umrah pilgrims from India are feared dead after a bus carrying over 40 passengers from Mecca to Madinah collided with a diesel tanker in Saudi Arabia's Mufrihat in the early hours of Monday. Several of the passengers were reportedly from Hyderabad.
While emergency teams and local authorities rushed to the spot to carry out rescue and relief operations, officials are still verifying the exact number of casualties and identifying the victims.
Control room and helpline numbers set up
A control room has been set up at the Secretariat to track the developments and details of measures. It will also provide information to families and relatives of the victims.
Control room numbers: +91 79979 59754 +91 99129 19545
Further, the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, has also set up a helpline following the accident.
In a post on X, the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, said, "In view of a tragic bus accident near Madina, Saudi Arabia, involving Indian Umrah pilgrims, a 24x7 Control Room has been set up in Consulate General of India, Jeddah. The contact details of the Helpline are 8002440003, 0122614093, 0126614276, 0556122301 (WhatsApp)."
Telangana CM, ministers react
Telangana Chief Minister A Reventh Reddy has directed Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and DGP B Shivadhar Reddy to urgently collect details.
Reddy urged officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi Embassy to be contacted regarding the incident and to immediately undertake necessary relief measures.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi speaking to ANI said, he had contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared passengers' details with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.
He also spoke to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, who told him that they are gathering information from local authorities and would update him soon.
Newly appointed Telangana Minister, Mohammed Azharuddin, condoled the incident that the government will extend every possible support through the Minority Welfare Department.
EAM S Jaishankar offers condolences
External Affairs Minster S Jaishankar said Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident.
"Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," he said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the incident and said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister said he was saddened to hear about the tragic accident in Saudi Arabia that took the lives.