A tragic traffic accident with at least 45 deaths occurred yesterday (16/11) near Medina in Saudi Arabia, when a bus carrying 46 Muslim pilgrims – many of whom were Indian nationals – collided with an oil tanker. The fatal crash happened on the highway connecting Mecca to Medina. From the violent collision, the bus burst into flames, trapping the passengers inside.
Read: Shocking traffic accident in Saudi Arabia: Bus collision with tanker – Reports of dozens of victims (Video)
Shock in Saudi Arabia: They were sleeping at the moment of collision
The incident was characterized as “tragic” by the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia, while the country’s diplomatic authorities immediately mobilized to provide support to the pilgrims involved. The Indian embassy announced that the collision between the bus and the oil tanker occurred during the night near the Muslim holy city of Medina, where the victims were returning from their pilgrimage to Mecca. It is emphasized that the information about Indian nationals being among the passengers has been confirmed.
More specifically, police commissioner B. S. Satjanar stated: “Forty-five people died and there is only one survivor, who is now in hospital”. As Indian media report, many of the bus passengers were sleeping at the time of the collision. Police forces and Civil Defense Service units from Saudi Arabia rushed to the scene, as did Indian officials to assist the victims.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the incident with a post on X, noting: “I am deeply saddened by the accident in Medina involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones.” He added: “I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured. Our embassy in Riyadh and our consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance.”
Bus Crash Near Medina Kills 42 Indian Umrah Pilgrims from Hyderabad
A bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad collided with a diesel tanker on the Mecca-Medina highway around 1:30 a.m., igniting a fire that killed 42 people, including 20 women and 11 children. pic.twitter.com/ZMi5znPf5s
— Sumit (@SumitHansd) November 17, 2025
