'3 Generations Wiped Out': How the Saudi Bus Crash Killed 18 from a Hyderabad Family
A devastating bus crash in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of at least 45 Indian pilgrims, with a significant portion of the victims, 18 in total, belonging to a single family from Hyderabad. The tragedy, which occurred on Monday, November 17, 2025, involved a collision between a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims and a diesel tanker near the holy city of Medina. The impact resulted in a massive fire, leaving little chance of survival for those on board.
The Hyderabad family's loss spans three generations, including nine children, leaving relatives and the community in profound grief. Mohammed Asif, a relative of the victims, recounted the devastating news, stating that his father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, wife, and children were all among the deceased. He identified some of the victims as Naseeruddin (70), his wife Akhter Begum (62), their son Salauddin (42), and daughters Amina (44), Rizwana (38), and Shabana (40), along with their children.
Syed Rashid, another relative, shared that his parents, Shaik Naseeruddin (65) and Akhter Begum (60), his brother (38), his sister-in-law (35), and their three children also perished in the accident. He recalled advising them against traveling together, especially with the children. Other family members who died in the crash were Sirajuddin, who lived in the US, his wife Sana and their three children, as well as relatives Amina Begum and her daughter, Shameena Begum and her son, and Rizwana Begum and her two children.
The group of 54 pilgrims had traveled from Hyderabad to Jeddah on November 9, with plans to return on November 23. Of these, 46 were on the bus when the tragedy struck, while four traveled separately to Medina by car and another four stayed back in Mecca. The bus collided with an oil tanker approximately 25 kilometers from Medina around 11:30 PM local time.
According to authorities, only one passenger, Mohammed Abdul Shoaib, 24, survived the crash. He escaped by breaking a window and jumping out before the bus was engulfed in flames. He is currently receiving treatment for his injuries.
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief and support from both India and Saudi Arabia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating that the Indian embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah were providing all possible assistance. The Telangana government has announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakhs to the families of the victims. The state government will also send a delegation, led by Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammad Azharuddin, to Saudi Arabia to assist with relief operations and ensure the deceased are laid to rest according to their religious customs in Saudi Arabia. Two relatives of each victim will be flown to Saudi Arabia.
The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has established a 24/7 control room to assist the families. Authorities are working to identify the bodies, a task made difficult by the severity of the burns. The incident is one of the deadliest involving Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia in recent years, highlighting the risks associated with travel during peak pilgrimage seasons.
