Tragic Loss: 18 Members of Hyderabad Family Die in Saudi Bus Collision

Post by : Raina Nasser

A devastating accident unfolded early Monday when a passenger bus carrying Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad collided with a diesel tanker in Saudi Arabia, resulting in the loss of at least 45 lives. The tragic incident occurred around 1:30 AM IST in the Mufrihat region, leaving behind immense sorrow with only one reported survivor currently receiving treatment.

Among the deceased were 18 individuals from one family, including Naseeruddin Shaik, a retired railway employee, his wife, their son, three daughters, and grandchildren. Mohammed Aslam, a distressed nephew, recounted the family's ordeal, stating, “We still don't know the cause of this horrific accident that took 18 of our relatives.”

The bus was reportedly carrying 46 people, part of a travel group organized by a local agency in Hyderabad. Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances leading to the crash and the safety measures adopted by the bus operator.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar labeled the event as “deeply distressing” and confirmed initial reports regarding the passenger count. The Telangana state government has liaised with Saudi authorities to ascertain the victims' identities. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed heartfelt condolences and called for verification of victims' identities and numbers from Telangana.

The incident has raised concerns at the highest echelons of Indian leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his sympathies to the families affected by this tragedy and confirmed that assistance is being rendered by India’s Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah to those impacted.

This unfortunate accident has reverberated across India, drawing attention to the dangers faced by Umrah pilgrims. Officials are advocating for an exhaustive inquiry to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.

The lone survivor is presently under medical care, and authorities are diligently working to reach out to the families of the victims during this challenging time.