42 Indian Pilgrims Die in Saudi Bus-Tanker Crash

At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims were feared dead early Monday after the bus they were traveling in collided with a diesel tanker on the highway between Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, igniting a massive fire that trapped many passengers as they slept.

The accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. Indian Standard Time near Madinah, according to preliminary reports from local authorities. The bus, carrying pilgrims from various parts of India including a significant number from Hyderabad in Telangana, burst into flames upon impact, complicating rescue efforts and victim identification. Emergency teams arrived quickly, but the intensity of the blaze left little opportunity for escape, with most of the 42 passengers on board believed to have perished at the scene. Several others were injured and received medical attention, though exact figures for survivors remain unconfirmed as Saudi officials continue to verify details.

Indian officials responded swiftly to the tragedy. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking from Russia where he was on a visit, expressed deep shock in a post on social media. "Deeply shocked at the accident involving Indian nationals in Medinah, Saudi...