How a Sleepless Night Led to Survival: Hyderabad Man Escapes Saudi Bus Crash

Twenty four year old Hyderabad resident Mohammad Abdul Shoeb had trouble sleeping during a late night journey between Mecca and Madinah. While all other pilgrims on the bus rested, he shifted to a seat beside the driver to stay awake and chat, unaware that this decision would later mean the difference between life and death.

Seconds That Changed Everything

A fast moving diesel tanker collided with the bus without warning. In the brief panic that followed, Shoeb and the driver managed to leap out through a window just moments before fire engulfed the vehicle. The flames spread so quickly that no one else could escape, and every other passenger died at the scene.

Shoeb's family back home received a call soon after dawn. "We got a call from Shoeb at around 5.30 am, stating that he managed to escape from the tragedy, while all the others were caught in flames. We could not reach him later, as we received the information that he got admitted to the hospital," said relative Mohammed Tehseen, who waited anxiously at Haj House in Nampally for official updates.

Pilgrimage Turns Into Personal Loss

Shoeb lives in Natarajnagar Colony in Jhirrah under Asifnagar constituency and works in the private sector. He had travelled for Umrah with his parents Abdul Khadeer, 56, and Ghousiya Begum, 46, and was accompanied by his grandfather Mohammad Moulana along with three members of his uncle's family. Every one of them was among the victims.

"There were four others from the same area, who stayed back at Mecca. Soon after the accident, Shoeb called up one of them and informed them about the tragedy, in which he lost parents, grandfather and his uncle's family," Tehseen explained. Shoeb is currently being treated in the intensive care unit of a German Hospital in Madinah for injuries he sustained while jumping from the bus.

Multiple Generations Lost for Hyderabad Families

One of the most deeply affected families belongs to 35 year old Syed Rashid, who is grappling with the news that 18 of his relatives were among the deceased. His father, 65 year old retired railway employee Shaik Naseeruddin, his mother, 60 year old Akhter Begum, his brother, sister in law and their three children were on the same bus. Sirajuddin, who lived in the United States with his wife Sana, 40, also lost their three children. Relatives Amina Begum and her daughter, Shameena Begum and her son, and Rizwana Begum and her two children were also on the list of casualties.

"When I saw them off at the Hyderabad airport on November 9 for the Umrah pilgrimage, I never imagined that I would be seeing them for the last time. I told them not to travel together, especially with children. But they did not listen. At least some of them would have survived, had they heeded to my advice," he said with visible pain, speaking from Vidyanagar near the CPI(M) Marx Bhavan.

Another grieving relative said he was told all five members of his family had died. "When I got the information from the authorities that all people present in the bus died, I was shocked. I request the government to make proper arrangements to bring the bodies to India," he appealed.

Crowds Hunt for Information as Travel Agents Confirm Bookings

Distressed groups kept gathering at Haj House and travel offices seeking confirmed lists, photos, or even unofficial leads. What began as a spiritual journey has forced entire neighbourhoods in Hyderabad into mourning, fear and confusion.

A representative from Al Meena Travel Agency at Bazarghat said that at least 20 of the passengers had booked through their firm on November 9. "After the prayers at Mecca, 16 of them were returning to Madina in the bus. Their whereabouts are not known," he said earlier, before authorities formally confirmed that no one except Shoeb and the driver survived.