Saudi Arabia: 45 Indian pilgrims die after their bus collides with a fuel truck in Medina.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

The Saudi General Traffic Department in the Medina region announced a traffic accident on Monday, resulting from a collision between a fuel truck and a passenger bus. A statement from "Medina Traffic" on its official X platform account stated that the accident was dealt with immediately by the competent authorities, and that the regular procedures are still underway to complete the investigations. The Indian Consulate in Jeddah clarified that the bus was carrying Indian pilgrims traveling from Mecca to Medina, confirming the formation of a control room operating around the clock to monitor the situation and provide assistance to the injured and their families. V. C. Sajjanar, the Commissioner General of Hyderabad Police, to which the majority of the victims belong, said that the bus was carrying 46 people, noting that only one person survived the accident. For his part, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, expressed his deep sorrow and condolences to the families of the victims via his account on the "X" platform in Arabic, wishing the injured a speedy recovery, and stressing that the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible support and remain in constant contact with the Saudi authorities. The Indian Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, also expressed his shock at the accident, stressing that full support is being provided to those affected and their families by the diplomatic missions in Riyadh and Jeddah.