A devastating bus accident in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of 42 pilgrims who were travelling from Mecca to Medina. The incident occurred in the Badr–Medina region when the bus collided with a diesel tanker, triggering a massive fire that engulfed the vehicle. According to initial reports, the victims include 20 women and 11 children, and a majority of those killed are believed to be residents of Hyderabad. Authorities in Saudi Arabia are working to confirm identities, and further details are awaited.
The pilgrims had reportedly completed their holy visit to Mecca and were en route to Medina when the collision took place. The sudden blaze left passengers trapped inside the bus, resulting in their death by burning before emergency teams could reach the location. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary assessment indicate that the intensity of the fire made rescue efforts extremely difficult, contributing to the high fatality count. Officials are investigating the circumstances that led to the accident.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the tragedy and instructed state officials to gather complete information about the victims. He directed coordination with the Central Government and the Saudi Embassy to extend support to affected families. The Chief Minister also spoke with the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi and officials of the Ministry of External Affairs. A special control room has been set up at the State Secretariat for emergency assistance, and families seeking information have been asked to contact the helpline numbers 79979 59754 and 99129 19545.