Heartbreaking Madinah Bus Tragedy: 45 Indian Umrah Pilgrims Perish in Fiery Collision; Full List of Victims Released

By YaHind News Desk Hyderabad/Madinah, November 17, 2025 – In a gut-wrenching disaster that has plunged communities in Hyderabad into profound grief, 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims perished when their bus collided with a diesel tanker and burst into flames on the Makkah-Madinah highway early Monday. The horrific crash, which unfolded around 1:30 AM IST about 25 km from Madinah, claimed the lives of entire families, leaving just one survivor who is battling for life in a Saudi hospital.

The pilgrims, hailing primarily from Hyderabad and surrounding areas in Telangana, had fulfilled their sacred Umrah obligations in Makkah and were heading to Madinah for Ziyarat when tragedy struck. Preliminary probes suggest the bus, operated by a local agency, veered into the path of the oncoming tanker at high speed, triggering an inferno that trapped many inside as they slept. Among the dead are 18 members of a single extended family from Hyderabad’s Ramnagar, spanning three generations including nine children, while at least 16 hailed from Mallepally’s Bazaar Ghat locality, transforming vibrant neighborhoods into sites of unrelenting sorrow.

Latest Updates: Rs 5 Lakh Ex-Gratia Announced, Relief Teams Dispatched, Helplines Operational

Responding with urgency, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased, terming it “a token of the state’s unwavering support in this darkest hour.” “Our government is mobilizing every resource to bring our brothers and sisters home with dignity and provide solace to their loved ones,” the CM said, directing the immediate setup of a control room at the state Secretariat. A specialized relief team is en route to Saudi Arabia to aid in identification, repatriation, and counseling efforts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his anguish, assuring full governmental assistance: “The hearts of all Indians are heavy today. Our missions in Riyadh and Jeddah are working round-the-clock with Saudi counterparts.” External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar echoed this, confirming the Embassy and Consulate’s active involvement. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also extended condolences, with the latter pledging comprehensive federal support.

For families in distress, key helplines include: Indian Embassy in Riyadh:

• Toll-free: 8002440003
• Phone: +966-12-2614093, +966-12-6614276
• WhatsApp: +966-556122301

Telangana Control Room (New Delhi):

• +91-9871999044 (Smt. Vandhana)
• +91-9958322143 (Sri CH. Chakravarthi)
• +91-9643723157 (Sri Rakshith Naik)

State Helplines: +91-7997959754, +91-9912919545

Repatriation of remains is anticipated within days, facilitated by Saudi-Indian cooperation.

Full List of Confirmed Victims

The Telangana Haj Committee, in coordination with Indian missions, has released the verified list of all 45 deceased pilgrims. YaHind.com offers its heartfelt condolences and prayers for strength to the bereaved. The table below includes names, genders (where specified), and notable locations:

This unimaginable loss underscores the perils of pilgrimage travel and the urgent need for stricter safety protocols on Saudi highways. YaHind.com remains committed to covering this story with sensitivity and accuracy, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the affected families. Further developments, including survivor updates, will be reported promptly.

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