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Horrific accident in Saudi Arabia: Indian Umrah pilgrims unlikely to survive bus-tanker collision
Riyadh, November 17, 2025 (Special Correspondent): A horrific road accident in Saudi Arabia has sent shockwaves through the hearts of millions of pilgrims in India. A bus leaving for Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage collided with an oil tanker, claiming the lives of more than 40 Indian pilgrims. The severity of the accident was so great that, according to initial reports, many pilgrims have been injured and the death toll is expected to rise. The accident took place on a major highway in the Tawif province of Saudi Arabia, which has sent shockwaves across the Islamic world.
After receiving information about the accident, India's Ministry of External Affairs immediately reacted and said that it was investigating the incident and trying to contact the families of the victims. "We are coordinating with the Saudi authorities and personnel deployed at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh have reached the spot. The list of victims and the latest information regarding medical assistance is being taken," a senior ministry official said. Initial estimates suggest that the pilgrims mainly include devotees from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. Most of them had left for Umrah last week and were in the mood for a visit to Mecca and Medina when the accident occurred.
The background to the accident is that the bus was travelling from Mecca to Medina. While it was carrying Umrah pilgrims, an oil tanker coming from the opposite direction lost control and hit the bus hard. The impact was so strong that the left side of the bus was severely damaged and fuel from the oil tanker leaked, leading to a fire. Fortunately, the local fire brigade took immediate action and stopped the fire, otherwise the situation could have been even worse. The number of injured people currently admitted to the hospital is said to be more than 20, while the work of identifying the bodies is underway. The Saudi police and the Disaster Management Department have been deployed at the scene and have started an investigation, and the exact cause of the accident is not yet clear. However, according to experts, the accident is likely to have occurred due to excessive speed and congestion on the highway.
The accident has come as a big shock to the Indian community. Umrah is a holy pilgrimage in Islam, in which millions of Muslim pilgrims go to Mecca every year to visit it in addition to Hajj. The number of Indian pilgrims has increased as the Umrah pilgrimage, which was closed due to Covid in the last few years, has now resumed. This accident has spread a wave of anxiety and grief among the families. The grandson of a pilgrim in Mumbai said, "My grandfather had gone for Umrah. Now there is no contact with him. How is this possible? May Allah grant him peace." Such feelings are being expressed in the Muslim community across the country.
The Saudi Arabian government has responded immediately to the incident and provided medical facilities to the victims. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement, "We are committed to the safety of Indian pilgrims and will provide all possible assistance to the accident victims." The Indian Embassy has also issued a helpline number, urging relatives of the victims to contact 0096655001010. The incident has raised questions about the safety of the Umrah pilgrimage. Many experts say that such accidents are increasing due to the congestion of vehicles on Saudi Arabia's highways and the temperature. Earlier, a similar accident took place in 2023, in which more than 10 Indians died.
An investigation into the accident is currently underway, and the Indian government has sought a detailed report from the Saudi authorities. Muslim organizations and political leaders across the country have expressed their condolences and announced a relief fund for the victims. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde posted on Twitter (now X), "This accident is very sad. I have spoken to the Central Government and assured to help the families of the victims." The Central Government is also expressing the possibility of sending a special plane to bring the injured to India.
The accident is not just limited to statistics, but is also important from an emotional and religious point of view. The Umrah pilgrimage is an important event in the life of every Muslim, and such accidents put a stigma on it. Experts advise that pilgrims should use safe vehicles and experienced guides during the pilgrimage. Currently, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has warned all pilgrims to be vigilant and follow local regulations.
In the hours after the accident, the hashtag #PrayForUmrahPilgrims started trending on social media, and the Muslim community around the world expressed prayers and condolences. The accident is a setback for the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia, where about 2.6 million Indian workers and pilgrims live. The Indian government has recommended implementing special flights and safe transport plans for such pilgrimages in the future. This tragic incident has once again emphasized the importance of road safety, which has forced all countries to think.
Riyadh, November 17, 2025 (Special Correspondent): A horrific road accident in Saudi Arabia has sent shockwaves through the hearts of millions of pilgrims in India. A bus leaving for Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage collided with an oil tanker, claiming the lives of more than 40 Indian pilgrims. The severity of the accident was so great that, according to initial reports, many pilgrims have been injured and the death toll is expected to rise. The accident took place on a major highway in the Tawif province of Saudi Arabia, which has sent shockwaves across the Islamic world.
After receiving information about the accident, India's Ministry of External Affairs immediately reacted and said that it was investigating the incident and trying to contact the families of the victims. "We are coordinating with the Saudi authorities and personnel deployed at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh have reached the spot. The list of victims and the latest information regarding medical assistance is being taken," a senior ministry official said. Initial estimates suggest that the pilgrims mainly include devotees from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. Most of them had left for Umrah last week and were in the mood for a visit to Mecca and Medina when the accident occurred.
The background to the accident is that the bus was travelling from Mecca to Medina. While it was carrying Umrah pilgrims, an oil tanker coming from the opposite direction lost control and hit the bus hard. The impact was so strong that the left side of the bus was severely damaged and fuel from the oil tanker leaked, leading to a fire. Fortunately, the local fire brigade took immediate action and stopped the fire, otherwise the situation could have been even worse. The number of injured people currently admitted to the hospital is said to be more than 20, while the work of identifying the bodies is underway. The Saudi police and the Disaster Management Department have been deployed at the scene and have started an investigation, and the exact cause of the accident is not yet clear. However, according to experts, the accident is likely to have occurred due to excessive speed and congestion on the highway.
The accident has come as a big shock to the Indian community. Umrah is a holy pilgrimage in Islam, in which millions of Muslim pilgrims go to Mecca every year to visit it in addition to Hajj. The number of Indian pilgrims has increased as the Umrah pilgrimage, which was closed due to Covid in the last few years, has now resumed. This accident has spread a wave of anxiety and grief among the families. The grandson of a pilgrim in Mumbai said, "My grandfather had gone for Umrah. Now there is no contact with him. How is this possible? May Allah grant him peace." Such feelings are being expressed in the Muslim community across the country.
The Saudi Arabian government has responded immediately to the incident and provided medical facilities to the victims. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement, "We are committed to the safety of Indian pilgrims and will provide all possible assistance to the accident victims." The Indian Embassy has also issued a helpline number, urging relatives of the victims to contact 0096655001010. The incident has raised questions about the safety of the Umrah pilgrimage. Many experts say that such accidents are increasing due to the congestion of vehicles on Saudi Arabia's highways and the temperature. Earlier, a similar accident took place in 2023, in which more than 10 Indians died.
An investigation into the accident is currently underway, and the Indian government has sought a detailed report from the Saudi authorities. Muslim organizations and political leaders across the country have expressed their condolences and announced a relief fund for the victims. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde posted on Twitter (now X), "This accident is very sad. I have spoken to the Central Government and assured to help the families of the victims." The Central Government is also expressing the possibility of sending a special plane to bring the injured to India.
The accident is not just limited to statistics, but is also important from an emotional and religious point of view. The Umrah pilgrimage is an important event in the life of every Muslim, and such accidents put a stigma on it. Experts advise that pilgrims should use safe vehicles and experienced guides during the pilgrimage. Currently, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has warned all pilgrims to be vigilant and follow local regulations.
In the hours after the accident, the hashtag #PrayForUmrahPilgrims started trending on social media, and the Muslim community around the world expressed prayers and condolences. The accident is a setback for the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia, where about 2.6 million Indian workers and pilgrims live. The Indian government has recommended implementing special flights and safe transport plans for such pilgrimages in the future. This tragic incident has once again emphasized the importance of road safety, which has forced all countries to think.
After receiving information about the accident, India's Ministry of External Affairs immediately reacted and said that it was investigating the incident and trying to contact the families of the victims. "We are coordinating with the Saudi authorities and personnel deployed at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh have reached the spot. The list of victims and the latest information regarding medical assistance is being taken," a senior ministry official said. Initial estimates suggest that the pilgrims mainly include devotees from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. Most of them had left for Umrah last week and were in the mood for a visit to Mecca and Medina when the accident occurred.
The background to the accident is that the bus was travelling from Mecca to Medina. While it was carrying Umrah pilgrims, an oil tanker coming from the opposite direction lost control and hit the bus hard. The impact was so strong that the left side of the bus was severely damaged and fuel from the oil tanker leaked, leading to a fire. Fortunately, the local fire brigade took immediate action and stopped the fire, otherwise the situation could have been even worse. The number of injured people currently admitted to the hospital is said to be more than 20, while the work of identifying the bodies is underway. The Saudi police and the Disaster Management Department have been deployed at the scene and have started an investigation, and the exact cause of the accident is not yet clear. However, according to experts, the accident is likely to have occurred due to excessive speed and congestion on the highway.
The accident has come as a big shock to the Indian community. Umrah is a holy pilgrimage in Islam, in which millions of Muslim pilgrims go to Mecca every year to visit it in addition to Hajj. The number of Indian pilgrims has increased as the Umrah pilgrimage, which was closed due to Covid in the last few years, has now resumed. This accident has spread a wave of anxiety and grief among the families. The grandson of a pilgrim in Mumbai said, "My grandfather had gone for Umrah. Now there is no contact with him. How is this possible? May Allah grant him peace." Such feelings are being expressed in the Muslim community across the country.
The Saudi Arabian government has responded immediately to the incident and provided medical facilities to the victims. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement, "We are committed to the safety of Indian pilgrims and will provide all possible assistance to the accident victims." The Indian Embassy has also issued a helpline number, urging relatives of the victims to contact 0096655001010. The incident has raised questions about the safety of the Umrah pilgrimage. Many experts say that such accidents are increasing due to the congestion of vehicles on Saudi Arabia's highways and the temperature. Earlier, a similar accident took place in 2023, in which more than 10 Indians died.
An investigation into the accident is currently underway, and the Indian government has sought a detailed report from the Saudi authorities. Muslim organizations and political leaders across the country have expressed their condolences and announced a relief fund for the victims. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde posted on Twitter (now X), "This accident is very sad. I have spoken to the Central Government and assured to help the families of the victims." The Central Government is also expressing the possibility of sending a special plane to bring the injured to India.
The accident is not just limited to statistics, but is also important from an emotional and religious point of view. The Umrah pilgrimage is an important event in the life of every Muslim, and such accidents put a stigma on it. Experts advise that pilgrims should use safe vehicles and experienced guides during the pilgrimage. Currently, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has warned all pilgrims to be vigilant and follow local regulations.
In the hours after the accident, the hashtag #PrayForUmrahPilgrims started trending on social media, and the Muslim community around the world expressed prayers and condolences. The accident is a setback for the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia, where about 2.6 million Indian workers and pilgrims live. The Indian government has recommended implementing special flights and safe transport plans for such pilgrimages in the future. This tragic incident has once again emphasized the importance of road safety, which has forced all countries to think.
