The Telangana government has announced compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of 45 Umrah pilgrims from the state who died in a tragic bus accident near Madina, Saudi Arabia. The decision was taken during a State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday, in the wake of the devastating fire that engulfed a bus carrying Hyderabad pilgrims.
A delegation led by Minister for Minorities Welfare Mohammed Azharuddin, along with an AIMIM MLA and a senior minorities welfare officer, will travel to Saudi Arabia to coordinate efforts. The government has also decided that the final rites of the deceased will be conducted in Saudi Arabia according to their religious customs. &ldquo;We will ensure at least two family members of each victim are able to travel to Saudi,&rdquo; a Cabinet statement said.
The accident occurred when the bus, carrying 46 pilgrims, collided with an oil tanker and caught fire about 25 km from Medina. Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar confirmed that one pilgrim, Mohammed Abdul Shoaib, survived and is receiving treatment. The group had left Hyderabad for Jeddah on November 9, with the tragic incident cutting short their return scheduled for November 23.
Most of the victims hailed from Asif Nagar, Mehdipatnam, Jhirra, and Toli Chowki in Hyderabad, including 17 men, 18 women, and 10 children. Minister Azharuddin said the bodies were charred beyond recognition and DNA tests may be required for identification. A control room has been set up at the Haj House to provide updates for families. The Indian Consulate is coordinating burial arrangements in Saudi Arabia, he added.

Telangana Announces Aid After Saudi Tragedy

State to give ₹5 lakh each, send delegation to Saudi Arabia after fatal Umrah bus fire

Telangana Announces Aid After Saudi Tragedy

State to give ₹5 lakh each, send delegation to Saudi Arabia after fatal Umrah bus fire

November 17, 2025 | 23:23 IST