Overview
- The bus traveling from Mecca to Medina collided with a diesel tanker near Mufrihat around 1:30 am IST, triggering a large fire.
- Reports point to at least 42 fatalities, with some accounts citing 45, while Saudi authorities have not issued an official count.
- Many of the victims are believed to be from Hyderabad in Telangana, and the group had left India on November 9 through local Umrah operators.
- Hyderabad police said only one passenger survived the crash and is receiving treatment in a hospital.
- The Indian Consulate in Jeddah and the Telangana government have set up control rooms and helplines and are coordinating with Saudi officials on identification and assistance.