Mecca–Medina bus tragedy leaves 45 Indian pilgrims dead, families devastated
Charred bodies beyond recognition; Telangana sends relief team, announces aid to victims' families
Survivors, Families Await Identification
A deadly bus fire in Saudi Arabia has taken the lives of 45 Indian pilgrims who were traveling from Mecca to Medina. According to the police, the vehicle crashed into a diesel tanker. In an instant, a blaze engulfed the vehicle, with almost everybody inside trapped. Only one passenger survived the inferno. The families in India are shocked and are trying to come to terms with the scale of the disaster.
Most of the victims hailed from Hyderabad, including some members of the same extended families who had gone on the pilgrimage together. The intensity of the fire was so high that most of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, making it almost impossible to identify them. Authorities are thus preparing for DNA testing to confirm identifications before final rites are performed.
In response, the Telangana government has formed a special relief mission under Minister Mohammad Azharuddin. The state has declared an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh for each bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to send two relatives from each household to Riyadh to help with the formalities and attend the funerals.
A special control room has been set up at the Haj House in Hyderabad to help keep the families informed and to coordinate with Saudi Arabia officials. Meanwhile, amid investigations, the officials are coordinating with the local authorities abroad to take care of documentation, identification, and safe handling of the remains of the victims while extending all possible help to the bereaved families.
