Funeral Arrangements for 45 Hyderabad Pilgrims Begin in Makkah; Telangana Delegation and Families Reach Saudi Arabia
Hyderabad | November 18, 2025 | DeccanLive.com
Hyderabad and the entire nation were stunned by a tragic bus tragedy that occurred close to Madinah in Saudi Arabia. 46 Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad were on their way from Makkah to Madinah when their bus struck a diesel tanker and caught fire. Abdul Shoaib Mohammed was the only survivor of the 45 fatalities. He is presently receiving treatment in a Saudi hospital’s intensive care unit.
The Telangana government immediately set up a control room and announced ₹5 lakh financial assistance for each affected family. A government delegation, including Minister for Minority Welfare Mohammed Azharuddin, Minority Welfare Secretary Shafiullah, and AIMIM MLA Majid Hussain, left for Madinah on Monday night. They will coordinate with Saudi authorities and supervise the funeral and other formalities.
In addition, the government has arranged travel for 35 relatives of the victims so they can be present in Saudi Arabia as the bodies are laid to rest in Makkah according to Islamic customs.
Among the deceased were 18 women, 10 children and 17 men. Most victims belonged to areas such as Nallakunta, Mallepally, Bazaarghat, Asif Nagar, Jhirra, Mehdipatnam and Tolichowki. The pilgrims had left Hyderabad on 9 November through four different travel agencies. Out of a 54-member group, four travelled to Madinah by car and four stayed back in Makkah. The remaining 46 travelled by bus and met with the tragic accident.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand (Sajjanar) said the bus was around 25 km from Madinah when it hit an oil tanker and burst into flames, leaving most passengers unable to escape.
Top national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and several others expressed deep grief and condolences.
Prime Minister Modi also received assurances of complete assistance from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
Telangana and Saudi Arabia have been devastated by the tragedy. Families are heartbroken because their loved ones departed on a sacred trip and never came back.
May Allah grant strength to the families of the departed and may their souls rest in peace.
