Saudi Bus Crash Claims 18 Lives from Hyderabad Family, Including 9 Children

A pilgrimage that was meant to bring blessings has instead left a Hyderabad neighbourhood in deep sorrow after a bus accident near Medina killed eighteen members of one family, including nine children. The group had completed their Umrah visit and was planning to return to India by the weekend when the tragedy struck.

Generational Family Lost in One Devastating Incident

Mohammed Asif, a relative, shared the emotional account of the trip and the loved ones who never made it back. He explained, "My sister-in-law, brother-in-law, their son, three daughters and their children went (for Umrah). They left eight days ago. The Umrah was done, and they were returning to Medina..."

Asif said that there was regular communication until the fatal crash. "Eighteen members of one family nine adults and nine children have died. It is a terrible tragedy for us," he stated. Among the victims were senior family members Naseeruddin, 70, and Akhter Begum, 62, along with their son Salauddin, 42, daughters Amina, 44, Rizwana, 38, and Shabana, 40, as well as their young children.

Heartbreak at the Family Home in Ramnagar

The family residence has turned into a place of nonstop mourning, where every new visitor walks into cries, prayers, and disbelief. A grieving sister cried out, "My brother's entire family has been wiped out," while holding the house keys that had been returned through a neighbour, symbolising a home that no longer holds the people it belonged to.

Only One Survivor Among Forty Six Passengers

Early details indicate that the crash happened while the bus was travelling from Mecca to Medina when it collided with an oil tanker. There were forty six passengers on board and only one person lived through the impact, making it one of the most catastrophic road accidents involving Indian religious travelers in the region.

Expressing concern, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said, "The tragic bus accident involving Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia is deeply distressing. According to preliminary information, forty six people were travelling in the bus at the time of the incident, and heartbreakingly, only one person survived."

Government Leaders Offer Support and Condolences

Condolence messages poured in from the highest offices including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

Jaishankar confirmed through a post on X that both the Indian embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah are in touch with the families and are working to provide all required support.