A horrific bus crash near Medina, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 1:30 a.m. local time, claimed the lives of 42 to 45 Indian pilgrims returning from Umrah. Among the dead were 18 members of a single family from Hyderabad, including ten children — a tragedy that has left a city in mourning and sparked national grief across India. The bus, packed with pilgrims, collided with a diesel tanker just 25 kilometers from Medina, triggering a fire that engulfed the vehicle. Only one survivor, a Hyderabad resident named Shoaib, escaped by smashing a window and jumping clear — though he suffered severe burns to his hands and remains hospitalized.
The Family That Lost Everything
The scale of loss centered on one household: Sheikh Naseeruddin, 70, a retired railway employee, his wife Akhter Begum, 62, their son Salauddin, 42, and three daughters — Ameena, 44; Rizwana, 38; and Shabana, 40 — along with their children and grandchildren. According to the Telangana Haj Committee, ten of the dead were minors. Other sources cite nine. Either way, it’s a staggering number — an entire generation wiped out in a single moment. The family, residents of Musirabad in Hyderabad, had spent weeks preparing for this pilgrimage. Relatives say they were cheerful, excited, even posting photos on WhatsApp just hours before the crash. Now, their home is silent. No laughter. No footsteps. Just grief.How the Tragedy Unfolded
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar confirmed that 54 people from the city had departed for Jeddah on November 9. Four traveled separately by car; four remained in Mecca. The rest — 46 — boarded the ill-fated bus to Medina. The collision occurred on a highway where safety standards are often lax, especially for pilgrimage transport. Witnesses described a deafening crash, then smoke, then flames. “It happened so fast,” said a local driver who saw the aftermath. “The bus was like a torch.” The lone survivor, Shoaib, was pulled from the wreckage with second- and third-degree burns. “He kept saying, ‘My family… my family…’” said a hospital official. His injuries are serious, but stable. Meanwhile, recovery teams worked through the night identifying bodies. Many were charred beyond recognition. DNA testing is now underway.
Government Response and Compensation
The Telangana Government moved swiftly. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy ordered immediate aid. The state announced that each victim’s family will receive ₹5 lakh in ex-gratia. Two relatives from each affected household will be flown to Saudi Arabia at government expense to oversee burial rites. The bodies will be buried in Saudi Arabia — in accordance with Islamic tradition — rather than repatriated. “We respect their faith,” said Mohammad Azharuddin, Telangana’s Minority Welfare Minister, who is leading a six-member team to Medina. “But we also need answers.” The Indian Embassy in Jeddah has set up a 24/7 control room and a toll-free helpline (8002440003) for families. Consular staff are on the ground coordinating with Saudi authorities. India’s top leaders reacted with sorrow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “deep anguish.” Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan called it “a national tragedy.” And N. Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister, noted that many victims had roots in his state too.Why This Happens — And Who’s to Blame
This isn’t the first time Indian pilgrims have died in Saudi transport accidents. In 2019, a similar crash near Mecca killed 14 Indians. In 2022, another bus fire claimed nine lives. Yet, little has changed. Many pilgrims book trips through unregulated travel agencies — often offering rock-bottom prices. The bus involved in this crash was reportedly operated by a Saudi firm with a history of safety violations. Saudi authorities have not yet released the official cause, but preliminary reports suggest the tanker driver may have veered into the wrong lane. The pilgrims’ agency, based in Hyderabad, has gone silent. “Why were they traveling on a bus that looked like it hadn’t been serviced since 2018?” asked Mohammad Asif, a relative of the deceased. “We’re not asking for sympathy. We’re asking for accountability.”
What Comes Next
The Indian government is pressuring Saudi authorities for a full investigation. The Saudi Ministry of Interior has promised a probe, but past incidents show delays are common. Families are demanding compensation from the travel agency and the bus operator. Legal teams from Hyderabad are preparing class-action suits. Meanwhile, a makeshift memorial has sprung up outside the Musirabad home of Sheikh Naseeruddin. Flowers, prayer beads, and photos of children line the gate. A handwritten sign reads: “They went to pray. They never came home.”Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indian pilgrims died in the Medina bus crash?
Between 42 and 45 Indian pilgrims died in the crash near Medina on November 17, 2025. Most were from Hyderabad, Telangana, with 18 members of one family among the victims. The exact number is still being confirmed as some bodies were too badly burned for immediate identification, requiring DNA testing.
Which family was most affected, and who were the victims?
The family of Sheikh Naseeruddin, a 70-year-old retired railway worker from Musirabad, Hyderabad, lost 18 members. The dead included his wife Akhter Begum, their three adult daughters (Ameena, Rizwana, Shabana), their son Salauddin, and 9–10 grandchildren. The Telangana Haj Committee confirmed at least ten children were among the deceased, making it one of the worst single-family losses in Umrah history.
Why are the bodies being buried in Saudi Arabia instead of being brought to India?
Islamic tradition requires burial to occur as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours, and prohibits cremation. Saudi authorities and Indian officials agreed that repatriation would delay rites and violate religious customs. The Telangana government is ensuring the burials follow proper Islamic procedures, with family representatives present to oversee the process.
What compensation is being offered to the victims’ families?
The Telangana state government has announced ₹5 lakh (approximately $6,000) in ex-gratia aid to each family. Additionally, two family members from each household will be flown to Saudi Arabia at government expense to handle funeral arrangements. The central government is also expected to provide further assistance, though details are still being finalized.
Is there an investigation into the travel agency responsible?
Yes. Hyderabad police have initiated a probe into the travel agency that arranged the trip, which reportedly booked the bus through a Saudi operator with prior safety violations. Families are demanding transparency and legal action. The Saudi Ministry of Interior has also launched its own investigation into the bus and tanker operators, but no charges have been filed yet.
How common are such accidents involving Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia?
Tragic transport accidents are unfortunately not rare. In 2019, 14 Indian pilgrims died in a bus crash near Mecca. In 2022, nine died in another fire. These incidents point to systemic issues — unregulated operators, poorly maintained vehicles, and weak oversight. Despite repeated warnings, pilgrim transport safety remains a gap in bilateral cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia.