AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said that he is aware that many people from his Lok Sabha constituency, Hyderabad, were involved in a road accident in Saudi Arabia.
More than 40 people have reportedly died after a bus carrying Indian pilgrims from Mecca to Medina caught fire after colliding with a diesel tanker near Mufrihat.
"I just got to know that 42 pilgrims of two travel agencies from Hyderabad were going from Mecca to Medina in a bus when it caught fire. It is not confirmed, but one person has survived," Owaisi told the news agency ANI.
"I spoke to Abu George, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, and he assured me that they are gathering information about the matter. I also contacted the two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared the passengers' details with the Riyadh Embassy and the Foreign Secretary," he added.
#WATCH | Delhi | On the bus accident in Saudi Arabia, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, "...Forty-two Hajj pilgrims who were travelling from Mecca to Medina were on a bus that caught fire...I spoke to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Indian Embassy in… https://t.co/oiPCgAz4tZ pic.twitter.com/jTuf2kCZPf
— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2025
A video has gone viral showing massive flames engulfing the bus.
42 Indian Pilgrims Feared Dead in Saudi Arabia After Bus-Tanker Collision pic.twitter.com/Je4e401CYa
— NDTV (@ndtv) November 17, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened by the accident.
"My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with Saudi Arabian authorities," he posted on X.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he was "deeply shocked".
"Our 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 wrote on X.
Deeply shocked at the accident involving Indian nationals in Medinah, Saudi Arabia.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 17, 2025
Our 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…
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah called it a "tragic" bus accident and set up a 24x7 control room. It also released a helpline number: 8002440003.
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