At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims, many of them from Telangana, are feared dead after a passenger bus carrying devotees from Mecca to Madinah collided with a diesel tanker early on Monday morning. The incident occurred around 1.30 am IST at Mufrihat, according to initial reports.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The reports said there were 43 passengers on the bus, with only one known survivor so far. The group, said to have departed from Hyderabad, had 20 women and 11 children, some reports said.
They had completed their Umrah rituals in Mecca and were on their way to Madinah when tragedy struck.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi confirmed that 42 Umrah pilgrims were on board when the bus caught fire. He said he is in touch with Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, who is gathering information about the incident. Owaisi also urged the central government to ensure the repatriation of the victims’ bodies to India and to provide proper medical care for the injured.
You Might Also Like:
Islam’s Unique Civilisation: Unity of Faith, Culture and History
Iran Offers Condolences to India Over Delhi Red Fort Blast, NIA Launches Full Terror Probe
Imam Mohammad Ishityaq’s Brother Denies Terror Allegations as NIA Intensifies Delhi Blast Probe