Saudi bus accident: 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims to be buried in Saudi Arabia as repatriation remains difficult
Reports state that Umrah and Hajj pilgrims must now sign a declaration confirming that if they die in Saudi Arabia, whether in Mecca, Medina, or elsewhere, they will be buried there
PTC Web Desk: A devastating road accident on the Mecca–Medina highway late Sunday night claimed the lives of 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims, most of them from Telangana. Officials have confirmed that the bodies of the deceased will not be brought back to India due to Saudi Arabia’s stringent rules regarding repatriation of remains.
The Telangana Cabinet, after a meeting on Monday, decided that the victims will be buried in Saudi Arabia according to their religious customs. The state government will send two relatives of each deceased person to attend the final rites in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia does not provide direct government compensation for road accident victims. Financial assistance can only be claimed if a police investigation proves that the tanker driver or the responsible company was at fault. This legal process may take several months, delaying any relief to the affected families.
Reports indicate that Umrah and Hajj pilgrims must sign a declaration form before beginning their journey, clearly stating that if they die on Saudi soil, Mecca, Medina, or elsewhere, their burial will take place there itself.
However, for non-pilgrim Indian citizens, the Indian government allows the family to choose between repatriation or burial in Saudi Arabia.
The accident occurred around 1.30 am on Sunday near Muharras, about 25 km from Medina. The bus carrying Umrah pilgrims from Mecca to Medina had stopped on the roadside when a speeding fuel tanker rammed into it from behind.
Most passengers were asleep and had no chance to escape. Among the fatalities were 18 women, 17 men, and 10 children. Only one person, 24-year-old Mohammed Abdul Shoaib, who was seated near the driver, survived and is undergoing treatment at a government hospital.
One Hyderabad family lost 18 members across three generations. Sheikh Naseeruddin (65) and his wife Akhtar Begum (60) were travelling with their extended family, including their children, grandchildren and relatives who had come from the US.
According to the Hyderabad Police, 54 persons had travelled from the city for Umrah on November 9, with plans to return on November 23. Of them, 46 were in the ill-fated bus.
The Telangana government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for each deceased pilgrim. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has directed officials in Delhi to coordinate closely with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh for identification of victims and other formalities.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi expressed grief and urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to make efforts to bring the bodies back to India. He has been in touch with travel agencies and the Indian Embassy regarding the victims’ details.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and assured that officials in Riyadh are providing every possible assistance. He said his thoughts are with the families mourning their loved ones.