Terrible Accident and Incendiary Near Medina
Sources indicate that at least 42 of the Indian Umrah pilgrims died when their bus crashed close to Medina in early Monday morning in Saudi Arabia near a diesel tanker. According to the eyewitnesses and media, the accident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. when the pilgrims were returning to the country after visiting Mecca.
In the video footage, the bus is submerged in huge flames, and the black smoke is fuming into the night sky.
Fire brigades as well as the police came to rescue; however, it was reported that many of the passengers were trapped during the fire spread, which had reached its speed.
The police indicate that the majority of the victims belong to Hyderabad, Telangana.
There was just one survivor, 24 year old Mohammad Abdul Shoaib, under treatment.
Response to India and Support of Families
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah also established a 24×7 control room to help in assisting the families of the victims following the tragedy.
The External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was outraged and affirmed that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah are offering all possible support.
The Chief Minister of Telangana, Revanth Reddy, is also demanding a thorough report about the accident.
A number of leaders, such as MP Asaduddin Owaisi, have called on the government to focus on finding the victims and sending the bodies to India.
Indian media reports that most of the pilgrims were women and children, also a fact that is still being confirmed.
This is a very tragic incident, and our sympathies are to all the distressed families.with
