People gather after at least 45 people, most of them from Hyderabad, were killed in a bus accident in Saudi Arabia, in Hyderabad on November 17, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Forty-five pilgrims from Telangana were killed after an oil tanker collided with their bus about 40 km from Medina in Saudi Arabia, in the early hours of Monday (November 17, 2025). The collision sparked a massive fire that spread quickly through the bus, killing the passengers, authorities said. Among the victims were 20 women and 11 children.
Saudi Arabia bus crash updates
The bus had stopped by the roadside when the oil tanker crashed into it, resulting in the explosion. Saudi authorities were investigating the circumstances leading to the incident, official sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and said Indian officials were in “close contact with Saudi Arabian authorities”. Mortal remains of the deceased were transferred to three hospitals in Medina — King Fahad, King Salman and Al Miqat.
“After the mortal remains are identified, families will have the option for repatriation to India or local burial at the Jannatul Baqi cemetery in Medina as per local customs,” said a source familiar with the official exchanges between Indian and Saudi authorities.
Forty-six members of a group of 54 people, who had left Hyderabad for their pilgrimage on November 9, were on the bus, Tafseer Iqubal, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Hyderabad, said during a press conference. All except one person perished in the blaze reported around 1.30 a.m. IST on Monday (November 17, 2025), he added.
However, another official said, “We are still waiting for an official list from Saudi Arabia to confirm the figures.”
Officials from the Consulate General of India in Jeddah have met the lone survivor and are coordinating with hospitals to ensure medical treatment.
“Of the 54, four had already left for Medina after completing Umrah in Mecca in private vehicles. Four others decided to stay back in Mecca. The remaining 46 began their journey on Sunday night,” the official said.
The bus driver and his assistant, suspected to be locals, also died in the accident.
The police have collected the full list of passengers and their details from the travel companies involved, allowing officials to coordinate with families. The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has set up a 24×7 Control Room to support families of the victims. The contact details of the Helpline are: 8002440003 (Toll free), 0122614093, 0126614276 and +966556122301 (WhatsApp).
Exgratia of ₹5 lakh announced
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the tragic bus accident.
The Telangana government announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh for the family of each of the deceased. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat on Monday (November 17, 2025).
The Cabinet also decided to send an official team to Saudi Arabia, led by Minority Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin. An All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA and a senior official from the Minority Welfare Department will accompany him. Two family members of each victim will also be able to travel to the accident site.
Mr. Reddy expressed deep shock over the tragic bus accident.
He directed the Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and the Director General of Police B. Shivdhar Reddy to get complete information and also details on how many passengers from Telangana were involved, while instructing them to immediately contact the Union Ministry of External Affairs and officials at the Saudi Embassy. He also ordered that necessary assistance be provided without delay.
The State Government has set up a control room at the Secretariat to assist families of those affected by the accident. The helpline numbers are: 79979 59754 and 99129 19545.
Senior officials swung into action and are coordinating with Indian missions in Saudi Arabia. They have spoken to the Consulate General in Jeddah and the other officials in Riyadh, seeking confirmation on whether any pilgrims from Telangana were involved and, if so, their details.
A control room has also been set up at Telangana Bhavan, New Delhi.
Published – November 17, 2025 11:27 am IST
