Eighteen members of a single Hyderabad family, spread over three generations, were confirmed dead after their bus collided with an oil tanker and caught fire near Madina early on Monday. The incident has indeed sent shockwaves through their neighbourhoods, as relatives struggle to identify the remains and also demand clarity on how the accident occurred.
According to Mohammed Asif, a relative of the victims, said that the group had completed Umrah and was returning to Madina. “My sister-in-law, brother-in-law, their son, three daughters and their children went for Umrah. They left eight days ago. They had completed Umrah and were returning to Madina. Around 1.30 am, the accident occurred, and the bus was destroyed in the fire. They were supposed to return on Saturday,” he said.
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As per a report by India Today, among the deceased were Naseeruddin (70), his wife Akhter Begum (62), their son Salauddin (42), daughters Amina (44), Rizwana (38) and Shabana (40), along with their children. “We demand a proper enquiry into how this happened. Those at fault must be punished at the earliest,” he added.
Toll may rise as bodies remain unidentified
India Today reported that, according to inputs received by Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar, at least 45 Indians, most of them from Hyderabad, are believed to have died. Saudi authorities have not released an official count yet, with many bodies charred beyond recognition. The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has deployed officials to assist with identification. The Telangana Hajj Committee said 10 children were among those killed.
According to the report by India Today, the group left Hyderabad on 9 November. Of the 54 pilgrims, 46 were travelling in the ill-fated bus, while others travelled separately or stayed back in Mecca. Only one passenger, Shoaib from Hyderabad, survived by breaking a window and jumping out. He sustained burns and is being treated at a local hospital.
Several residents said they received disturbing images from the crash site through relatives abroad. Mohammad Salman, whose family members were on the bus, said their last call indicated they were two hours from Madina before communication stopped. Another resident, Mohammad Burhan, said, “Shoaib managed to escape by breaking the window. If he hadn’t jumped, he too would have been trapped.”
Joint Commissioner Tafseer Iqubal confirmed that 43 of the victims were from Hyderabad, two from Cyberabad, and one from Hubballi in Karnataka. 18 men, 18 women and 10 children were in the bus.
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State sends team; compensation announced
The Telangana government has deputed Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammad Azharuddin to Saudi Arabia to support the relief efforts. Two relatives of each victim will be flown to Saudi Arabia,, and the state has decided that the bodies will be buried there as per religious customs. An ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh will be provided to each affected family.
