42 Indian pilgrims travelling to Medina killed in bus-tanker collision in Saudi Arabia

PTC News Desk:  At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad died after a bus travelling from Mecca to Madinah collided with a diesel tanker near Mufrihat in Saudi Arabia early Monday.

The victims are believed to be Indian nationals, with several reportedly from Hyderabad, according to local media in Saudi Arabia.

According to the local media reports, several people are feared dead. Meanwhile Indian Consulate in Jeddah has also launched helpline numbers to provide assistance for the victims. 

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has expressed grief over the accident. "Forty-two Hajj pilgrims who were travelling from Mecca to Medina were on a bus that caught fire...I spoke to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, and he assured me that they are gathering information about the matter," he said in a social media post. 

"I have contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared the passengers’ details with the Riyadh Embassy and the Foreign Secretary. I request the Union Government, especially EAM Dr S. Jaishankar, to bring the bodies back to India and, if anyone is injured, ensure that they receive proper medical treatment” he added further.