At least 45 Indian pilgrims lost their lives in a tragic Saudi bus crash near the holy city of Madina, Indian authorities confirmed on Monday. The bus was carrying 46 passengers when it overturned overnight, leaving only one survivor, according to Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar, as many of the victims hailed from the southern Indian city.
India’s embassy in Riyadh described the accident as “tragic,” and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, emphasizing that embassy and consulate officials are providing all possible assistance to the victims and their families. “Deeply saddened by the accident in Madina involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones,” he wrote on social media, adding prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.
The incident highlights the risks faced by millions visiting Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimages, which take place outside of the annual Hajj period. Similar tragedies have occurred in recent years: in March 2023, a bus transporting pilgrims to Makkah caught fire after a collision, killing 20 people, while in October 2019, 35 foreigners died in another Madina bus crash.
Saudi Arabia’s growing pilgrimage tourism sector is a cornerstone of its efforts to diversify the economy beyond oil, with millions of foreign visitors traveling annually. The kingdom is also home to over two million Indian nationals, who contribute significantly to the labor market and send billions of dollars in remittances back to India.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia are investigating the cause of the Madina accident as rescue and support operations continue, underscoring the need for stricter safety measures in the transport of pilgrims.
