External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday expressed profound shock and concern over a tragic road accident in Saudi Arabia involving a bus carrying several Indian Umrah pilgrims near Medina. The incident, confirmed by the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, occurred early Monday morning when the passenger bus collided with a diesel tanker, triggering a massive explosion.

In a post on X, the minister said: “Deeply shocked at the accident involving Indian nationals in Medinah, Saudi Arabia. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident. Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

Following the accident, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah immediately activated a 24×7 control room and released emergency helpline numbers to assist affected families and coordinate with local authorities.
“In view of a tragic bus accident near Madina, Saudi Arabia, involving Indian Umrah pilgrims, a 24×7 Control Room has been set up,” the mission announced on X.

Preliminary but unconfirmed media reports suggest that a majority of the pilgrims on board hailed from Hyderabad. The bus was reportedly travelling from Mecca to Medina, carrying pilgrims who had completed their Umrah rituals and were en route to the holy city of Medina. Most passengers are believed to have been asleep at the time of the collision.

Given the scale of the explosion that followed the crash, officials fear heavy casualties, though an official toll is yet to be released. Emergency responders, assisted by local residents, rushed to the accident site to rescue the injured and transport them to nearby hospitals. Rescue operations were still underway at the time of reporting.

The Telangana government has also stepped in, with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressing deep grief over the loss of Indian lives abroad. The state administration has set up a control room in Hyderabad to help families in seeking information about their relatives.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah remain in close coordination with Saudi authorities, ensuring medical assistance, consular support, and timely updates for families awaiting news.

Further official details regarding casualties and identities of the victims are anticipated as rescue and verification efforts continue.