فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Fez News – Accidents and International Events
Medina – A tragic traffic accident killed 45 Indian pilgrims on Monday morning, November 17, 2025, on the highway between Mecca and Medina, following a collision between a bus carrying them and a fuel tanker truck in the Al-Mafrahat area. Indian and Saudi authorities reported the official death toll, with others sustaining serious injuries, sparking a wave of grief and international solidarity.
Accident Details and Initial Causes
The accident occurred around 1:30 AM Indian time (1:00 AM midnight Saudi time), when the bus carrying 43 Indian pilgrims heading from Mecca to Medina collided with a diesel tanker. The severe impact caused both vehicles to catch fire, intensifying the catastrophe and complicating rescue operations. According to Indian and Saudi media reports, the pilgrims had left Hyderabad city on November 9, with their trip scheduled until November 23.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar confirmed the accident was “extremely painful,” noting that the victims belonged to modest families, and that Saudi police are conducting an investigation to determine the causes of the collision, including vehicle speed and road conditions.
Official Condolences and Relief Efforts
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his personal condolences to the victims’ families, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured, and confirmed that Indian officials are in contact with Saudi authorities to coordinate procedures, including transporting bodies and treating injuries. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also expressed his “deep shock” via his account on “X” platform, noting that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are monitoring the situation and providing necessary support to victims and their families.
The Indian Consulate in Jeddah announced the establishment of a special operations room to coordinate relief and follow-up efforts, providing a hotline for families to inquire about their relatives’ conditions. For its part, the General Directorate of Traffic in Medina confirmed it is undertaking regulatory procedures, with partial road closure for investigation.
Impact of the Accident on Pilgrims and Calls to Enhance Safety
This accident comes during the peak Umrah season, when millions of Muslims visit Saudi Arabia annually, reflecting security challenges on crowded highways. The incident sparked a wave of condolences on social media, with calls to strengthen preventive measures such as vehicle inspections and driver training. Saudi Arabia is the third-largest oil supplier to India, with more than two million Indians working there, strengthening bilateral ties in such crises.
Fez News extends its deepest condolences to the victims’ families and the people of India, praying that God encompass them with His vast mercy and heal the wounded.
