‘Deeply shocked’ by Saudi bus crash, says Jaishankar; Indian missions ‘giving full support’ – Firstpost

At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims were killed in a bus accident in Saudi Arabia on Monday. The bus was going from Mecca to Medina when it collided with a diesel tanker, due to which the bus caught fire.

Initial reports strongly suggest that many of the victims, including women and children, were residents of Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana. The Telangana State Haj Committee has indicated that 42 pilgrims were killed, with only one reported to have survived.

In reaction to the tragedy, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep grief and immediately directed the state authorities to collect complete information about the passengers and casualties. The Telangana government has established contacts with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and authorities in New Delhi to closely coordinate on relief measures, identification of passengers and confirming the number of victims.

Besides this, a control room has been set up in the Telangana Secretariat to provide information and support to the affected families. The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has also activated a 24×7 control room to assist Indian nationals and their families.

In other news, the Pentagon reported that the United States launched another attack on a suspected drug-smuggling ship in the eastern Pacific on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of three people on board the ship. Additionally, the International Criminal Tribunal-1 is set to deliver its verdict today in a major crimes against humanity case involving former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chaudhry Abdullah Al-Mamun.

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Breaking News Live Updates: 42 Indian pilgrims feared dead in bus-tanker collision near Madinah

Breaking News Live Updates: 42 Indian pilgrims feared dead in bus-tanker collision near Madinah

At least 42 Indians are feared dead when a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker and caught fire near Madinah on Monday. A video going viral on social media shows the bus engulfed in flames and fire brigade and rescue teams have reached the spot.

The collision occurred at about 1:30 am IST in Mufrihat, when pilgrims were traveling from Mecca to Medina. Only one survivor has reportedly been found.