What Happened in the Saudi Bus Accident That Shocked Telangana?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims are feared dead in the bus accident.
- The accident occurred while traveling from Mecca to Medina.
- Control room set up in Hyderabad for victim assistance.
- Immediate rescue and relief operations are underway.
- Families can contact the control room for updates.
Hyderabad, Nov 17 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy, has expressed deep dismay regarding the tragic incident involving a bus filled with Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
In response, the state authorities have established a control room in Hyderabad aimed at offering information and support to the families of those affected by this devastating accident.
The incident occurred as the pilgrims were journeying from Mecca to Medina, with reports indicating that individuals from Hyderabad were also part of the group.
Unverified media sources suggest that a minimum of 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims may have lost their lives following a collision between a passenger bus and a diesel tanker early Monday morning.
The catastrophe took place around 1:30 a.m. IST at a site known as Mufrihat.
The victims, which include women and children, are reported to be from Hyderabad. They were returning from performing their religious duties in Mecca and were on their way to Medina at the time of the incident.
In an immediate response, the Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao and the Director General of Police to gather comprehensive details. He sought information regarding the number of affected individuals hailing from Telangana.
He recommended that they liaise with officials from the Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Saudi Embassy.
Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao has alerted Resident Commissioner Gaurav Uppal in Delhi, directing him to ascertain the specifics regarding the Telangana residents involved in the accident.
Additionally, the state government has set up a control room within the Secretariat to ensure families of the bus accident victims in Saudi Arabia receive necessary information and support.
The contact numbers for the control room are: +91 79979 59754 and +91 99129 19545.
Initial reports from Saudi Arabia indicate that there were approximately 20 women and 11 children on the bus during this tragedy.
Authorities are still working to confirm the exact number of casualties and the status of any survivors, with emergency services actively conducting rescue and relief measures.
Meanwhile, officials from the Telangana State Haj Committee are also striving to gather information regarding the victims of the accident.