'Saw bus...can't bear the pain': Eyewitness on Saudi bus crash
17 Nov 2025

A bus accident in Saudi Arabia on Monday morning left 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims dead, mostly reported to be from Hyderabad.

The incident occurred early Monday when a bus traveling from Mecca to Medina collided with a diesel tanker near Mufrihat.

An eyewitness, claiming to be from Hyderabad, recorded a video of the aftermath and shared it with people back home.

Eyewitness recounts tragedy
Eyewitness account

In the video, the eyewitness is heard saying, "Information dena ye hai ke, Mecca se Medina ko bus aa rahi thi bhai... Wo bus poori jal gayi. Usme se ek aadmi...driver bach gaya bhai (I wanted to inform that a bus traveling from Mecca to Medina got completely burned)."

He added, "Usme se ek aadmi, ek driver bach gaya bhai. Munawwar bol ke naam bata raha (Just the driver escaped. He is identifying himself as Munawwar)."

Eyewitness appeals to families to check in on loved ones
Plea

The eyewitness adds, "Agar koi bhi hai, apne gharo ko maloom kar lo bhai thoda. Me bhi abhi abhi bus ko dekha. Me takleef bardasht nahi ho rahi bhai. Me video nikala. Ek aadmi merko number diya. Me phone kar ke logo ko itelah kar raha hu (Please check in with your families...I can't bear the pain. I recorded the accident on camera. A man gave me a number, and I am calling people to inform them)."

Government officials respond to tragic accident
Official response

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed shock over the incident and said the Indian embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are extending full support.

He also offered condolences to bereaved families and prayed for a speedy recovery of those injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the loss of lives, praying for the swift recovery of those injured.

Control rooms set up, survivor hospitalized
Emergency response

A control room has been set up at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi to gather more information about the accident.

The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has also established a 24x7 control room.

Only one person escaped the fire.

The lone survivor, identified as Mohd Abdul Shoiab by NDTV, was seated near the driver when the accident took place.

He is currently in the hospital, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar told the media.