45 Umrah pilgrims from India die in Saudi bus-tanker crash

As many as 45 Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad died when a bus carrying them caught fire after a collision with an oil tanker near Madinah in Saudi Arabia.

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Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar told media persons that, as per the information received, one pilgrim, Mohammed Abdul Shoaib, survived and was undergoing treatment at a hospital.

He said a group of 54 pilgrims from Hyderabad had left for Jeddah on Nov.9 and were scheduled to return on Nov.23.

After performing 'Umrah' (mini pilgrimage) in Makkah, the pilgrims left for Medinah on Sunday night. When the bus was about 25 km away from Medinah, it caught fire after colliding with an oil tanker.

"Four pilgrims had stayed back in Makkah while four others left for Medinah in a car. The bus was carrying 46 pilgrims," he said.

The victims include 17 males, 18 females and 10 children. Most of the pilgrims were from Asif Nagar, Jhirra, Mehdipatnam and Toli Chowki areas of Hyderabad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives in the Saudi Arabia bus accident.