The Saudi Arabia bus crash has left an Indian family shattered after 18 close relatives were among the 45 people killed near Madinah. The Saudi Arabia bus crash involved a diesel tanker colliding with a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims travelling from Makkah to Madinah. The accident caused a massive fire, leaving families devastated across Hyderabad.
Indian officials confirmed that relatives of the victims have begun travelling from Hyderabad to Madinah to offer final prayers and complete burial formalities. Among the most affected is Mohammad Munir Ahmed, who lost 18 members of the Naseeruddin family. He said the pain was beyond words and that his family would never recover from the loss.
The victims included nine adults and nine children. Only one member of the extended family, Siraj, who lives in the US, was not on the bus. However, his wife and three children were among those who died. Loved ones recalled how happy the group was after completing a week in Makkah before starting the final leg of their spiritual journey.
Abdul Shoeb Mohammed, the only survivor, escaped by breaking a window. He is being treated for serious injuries in Madinah. Indian officials said 44 passengers were from Hyderabad and one from Karnataka. The bus driver, a UAE resident, also died in the crash.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana officials expressed deep sorrow. Authorities said DNA tests may be required to identify some bodies. The Indian consulate in Jeddah has opened a support office and released helpline numbers for families seeking assistance.
The Saudi Arabia bus crash has sparked grief across communities, with neighbours and friends mourning the unimaginable loss.
