Forty-five Umrah pilgrims, most of whom were from Hyderabad, were feared dead after a bus travelling from Mecca to Medina in Saudi Arabia collided with a diesel tanker on Monday.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar told reporters that a total of 46 persons were travelling in the bus. “One survivor is under treatment,” PTI quoted him as saying. “More details are awaited.”

While the number of Indians on the bus was not immediately clear, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi told ANI that at least 42 Indians were on board. Most pilgrims are said to be from Hyderabad.

The Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

The accident occurred at about 1.30 am Indian time near Mufrihat village on the outskirts of Medina, Mathrubhumi reported. The pilgrims had completed their rituals in Mecca and were on their way to Medina when the accident triggered a fire in the bus.

VC Sajjanar, the Hyderabad police commissioner, said that only one passenger, identified as Mohammad Abdul Suyaib, survived the accident and was undergoing treatment, the Hindustan Times reported. The police commissioner added that the bodies of the victims had been shifted to a local hospital.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that Indian officials were working with the Saudi authorities to provide assistance. “Our embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident,” he said on social media.

Owaisi was quoted as saying that he had contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies, and shared details of the passengers with the embassy and the foreign secretary.

He urged the Union government to ensure that the bodies are brought back to India and that injured persons receive proper treatment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was deeply saddened by the accident in Medinah involving Indian nationals. He said that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah were providing all possible assistance to those affected.

The Indian consulate in Jeddah said that a 24×7 control room has been set up. The helpline numbers are: 8002440003 (toll free), 0122614093, 0126614276 and 0556122301 (WhatsApp).

This is a developing story. It will be updated as new details become available.

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