New Delhi/Hyderabad, November 17: What began as a sacred Umrah pilgrimage ended in a night of unimaginable horror for dozens of Telangana families. At least 45 pilgrims from Hyderabad, travelling from Makkah to Madinah, were killed when their bus collided with a diesel tanker and burst into flames in Saudi Arabia. Only one young man, 24-year-old Mohd Abdul Shoaib, survived — pulled out with severe burn injuries moments before the vehicle was engulfed completely.
The accident occurred in the early hours of the morning, just 25 kilometres from Madinah. Most passengers were asleep. The impact was so devastating that the bus was reduced to a charred shell within minutes, leaving bodies burnt beyond recognition. Officials say DNA tests may be needed to confirm identities.
Families Devastated, Many Lost Multiple Members
Shockwaves ripped through Hyderabad’s neighbourhoods — Mehdipatnam, Toli Chowki, Asif Nagar, Jhirra and surrounding areas — where many victims lived. Entire families were wiped out in a single night. Children, parents, and the elderly — all gone.
Crowds gathered outside homes and travel agency offices, clinging to hope that their loved ones might somehow be safe. That hope dissolved as the names of the deceased began to reach Hyderabad.
One grieving mother cried uncontrollably as relatives tried to console her.
“They went to pray… they went to seek blessings. How did they return like this?” she whispered, unable to comprehend the brutal twist of fate.
Another man who lost four family members said, “I had spoken to them just hours before. They were happy, excited to reach Madinah. I can’t believe they are not coming back.”
Government Acts Swiftly, Control Room Set Up
Acting on the instructions of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, a control room has been established at Telangana Bhavan, New Delhi, to coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and provide real-time updates to families.
Control Room Numbers:
- Smt. Vandhana, PS to Resident Commissioner: +91 98719 99044
- Sri Ch. Chakravarthi, PRO: +91 99583 22143
- Sri Rakshith Naik, Liaison Officer: +91 96437 23157
Senior officials at Telangana Bhavan are in constant touch with Saudi authorities to confirm the exact number of Telangana pilgrims involved and facilitate all necessary procedures.
Rs. 5 Lakh Ex-Gratia Announced
In a meeting held at the Secretariat, the Telangana Cabinet announced Rs. 5 lakh ex-gratia to the families of each victim. Calling it a “deeply painful and unprecedented tragedy,” the government assured full support for every bereaved family.
Govt Team to Travel to Saudi Arabia
The cabinet also decided to send a high-level official delegation to Saudi Arabia. The team will be led by Minority Welfare Minister Mohd Azharuddin, accompanied by an AIMIM MLA and senior officers from the Minority Department.
In an extraordinary gesture, two family members of each victim will also be taken to Saudi Arabia, supported by the state government, to identify their loved ones and complete formalities.
The last rites of all deceased pilgrims will be performed in Saudi Arabia, as required under local protocols and with the wishes of several families.
Only One Survivor — A Ray of Hope Amid Darkness
The sole survivor, Abdul Shoaib, remains in a Saudi hospital with severe injuries. His family awaits updates with trembling hands and tearful eyes. Doctors say his condition is critical, but stable.
A relative said, “He doesn’t know yet that so many of his companions didn’t survive. How will we tell him?”
A City in Mourning
Hyderabad has plunged into grief. Mosques held special prayers. Community members visited victims’ homes, offering whatever comfort they could. Several families said they had saved for years to send their loved ones on this pilgrimage — a dream now turned into eternal heartbreak.
As Telangana grapples with this tragedy, the government’s immediate actions offer some solace — but no gesture can fill the void left behind by so many lost lives.
For now, a city mourns, a state cries, and dozens of families face a tomorrow without the people they loved the most.