At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims were feared dead after a passenger bus travelling from Makkah to Madinah collided with a diesel tanker in Saudi Arabia early Monday. The crash, which occurred in wee hours of Monday, reportedly caused the bus to catch fire while most passengers were asleep. Preliminary information cited in media reports suggests that a majority of the victims were from Indian Hyderabad, including several women and children.

Rescue operations were underway through the night, with locals rushing to the spot to assist those critically injured. Media reports also suggest that more than 40 passengers may have died on the spot, though an official casualty count was awaited. Reacting to the tragedy, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, talking to reporters, said he had contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared passenger details with Indian authorities.  “Forty-two Hajj pilgrims who were travelling from Makkah to Madinah 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," Owaisi said.  He urged the Centre to facilitate the repatriation of bodies and ensure medical care for survivors. “I request the Union Government, especially External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, to bring the bodies back to India and, if anyone is injured, ensure that they receive proper medical treatment." 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)