Key Points
- 45 Indian pilgrims killed when bus collided with fuel tanker near Medina on November 17, 2025
- Accident occurred at 1:30 AM IST near Mufrihat, 25 km from Medina
- Victims include 18 women, 17 men, and 10 children, mostly from Hyderabad
- One survivor: Mohammad Abdul Shoaib (24), who was sitting next to driver
- Bodies to be buried in Saudi Arabia per Islamic customs and Saudi regulations
- Two family members per deceased to be sent to Saudi Arabia for funerals
- Telangana government announces ₹5 lakh compensation for each family
- 18 members of one family killed in the accident
- Group of 54 people had departed Hyderabad on November 9, scheduled to return November 23
The horrific bus accident on the Mecca-Medina highway has plunged numerous families across India, particularly in Hyderabad, into profound grief. On Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 1:30 AM IST, a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims was struck from behind by a speeding diesel tanker near Mufrihat (also referred to as Muhras), about 25 kilometers from Medina.
The impact triggered a massive fire that completely engulfed the bus, leaving passengers with virtually no chance of escape as many were sleeping at the time. The tragedy claimed 45 lives, including 18 women, 17 men, and 10 children, all Indian nationals who had embarked on what should have been a spiritual journey.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed that the group of 54 people had departed from Hyderabad to Jeddah on November 9 and were scheduled to return on November 23. Of the 54 travelers, four had gone separately by car to Medina on Sunday, while another four stayed behind in Mecca, leaving 46 people on the ill-fated bus.
Single Survivor Recounts Horror
Only one passenger survived the catastrophic accident, Mohammad Abdul Shoaib, a 24-year-old from Hyderabad who was seated next to the bus driver. Shoaib is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Saudi Arabia and remains the sole survivor of the tragedy.
The bus was completely gutted in the intense fire, making identification of victims extremely difficult for rescue teams and Saudi authorities. An eyewitness from Hyderabad who witnessed the aftermath reportedly said, “Bus jal gayi, driver bach gaya” (The bus burned, the driver survived), and urged people back home to check on their family members traveling to Medina.
Entire Family Wiped Out in Single Tragedy
The accident’s devastating impact is perhaps most acutely felt by one family that lost 18 members, including nine children, in the crash. At least 16 victims were from the Bazaar Ghat area of Mallepally in Hyderabad alone. Among the deceased from this neighborhood were Rahimunnisa, Rahmat Bi, Shehnaaz Begum, Ghausia Begum, and several members of extended families.
The list of deceased includes Abdul Gani Ahmed Saheer Shirahatti and numerous others whose lives were cut short while fulfilling their religious pilgrimage. The concentration of victims from specific neighborhoods in Hyderabad has created waves of collective mourning throughout the city.
Bodies to Be Buried in Saudi Arabia Per Islamic Law
In a significant and sensitive decision, the Telangana government has announced that the bodies of the 45 deceased pilgrims will be buried in Saudi Arabia in accordance with Islamic customs and Saudi Arabian regulations. This decision aligns with the laws of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which stipulate that pilgrims who sign a declaration before embarking on their pilgrimage are to be buried in Saudi Arabia if they die on Saudi soil.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy initially stated that officials were “in talks to bring the bodies back,” but the final decision adhered to Saudi regulations and religious protocols. The charred condition of many bodies beyond recognition also factored into this difficult decision.
Two Family Members Per Deceased to Attend Funerals
Recognizing the emotional needs of grieving families, the Telangana government has taken a compassionate step by announcing that two members from each deceased pilgrim’s family will be sent to Saudi Arabia to attend the funeral ceremonies. This arrangement allows families to participate in the final rites and find some closure despite the tragedy occurring thousands of kilometers from home.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are coordinating closely with Saudi authorities, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and local officials to expedite all necessary formalities for the funerals and family travel arrangements.
Compensation Process: Long and Complex Road Ahead
Obtaining financial compensation for the victims’ families presents significant challenges under Saudi law. Unlike in India, Saudi Arabia does not provide direct government compensation for road accidents. Compensation can only be granted if a police investigation conclusively proves that the tanker driver or his company was at fault for the accident.
Even if fault is established, families must file individual legal claims in Saudi courts. This entire legal process is typically lengthy and complex, potentially taking several months or even years to complete. The burden falls on grieving families to navigate an unfamiliar legal system in a foreign country while dealing with their loss.
As immediate relief, the Telangana government has announced a consolation payment of ₹5 lakh (approximately $6,000) to each victim’s family. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has instructed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to coordinate fully with the Ministry of External Affairs and Saudi authorities to provide all possible assistance.
Government Response and Emergency Helplines
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating, “My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured.” He confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance and maintaining close contact with Saudi authorities.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also conveyed his condolences and assured that Indian diplomatic missions are extending full support to affected families. The Consulate of India in Jeddah established a 24×7 control room with a toll-free helpline number: 8002440003. Additional helpline numbers include +91 79979 59754 and +91 99129 19545.
A control room was also established at the Telangana Secretariat in Hyderabad to assist anxious families seeking information about their loved ones.
Political Leaders Express Grief
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi made an urgent appeal to the central government to expedite all assistance and spoke directly with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar about the situation. Owaisi initially requested that bodies be brought back to India as soon as possible, though this was not feasible under Saudi regulations.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed his heartbreak, stating, “It is reported that the majority of the deceased were Muslim pilgrims from Hyderabad. Expressing condolences for their demise, I convey my deepest sympathies to the family members”.
Volunteers and Community Support
Indian community volunteers in Saudi Arabia have been active at hospitals and accident sites, providing crucial support to those affected. Embassy officials and Umrah agency representatives traveled to the crash site to assist with recovery efforts and provide updates to anxious families in India.
In Hyderabad, dozens of distressed relatives gathered at the travel agency that had organized the pilgrimage, desperately seeking information about their loved ones. What began as a sacred spiritual journey has ended in devastating tragedy and uncertainty for many families.
Understanding Umrah: The Lesser Pilgrimage
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be performed at any time of the year, unlike Hajj, which has specific dates. Also known as the “Little Hajj” or “Lesser Pilgrimage,” Umrah does not have the same obligatory status as Hajj but is highly recommended in Islamic tradition. Muslims can perform Umrah multiple times throughout their lives as per their convenience and financial capacity.
The pilgrimage involves specific rituals, including Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba), Sa’i (walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah), and other acts of worship. Many pilgrims also visit Medina to pay respects at the Prophet’s Mosque, which is what this group was doing when tragedy struck.
This tragic accident serves as a somber reminder of the risks faced by pilgrims on the sacred journey, and has united communities in India and Saudi Arabia in grief and solidarity with the affected families.
