Saudi Arabia: 42 Indian Pilgrims Die In Bus Tragedy Near Medinah

At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims are feared dead after a bus travelling from Makkah to Medinah collided with a diesel tanker and caught fire early Monday, according to Gulf News and local Saudi media reports.

The bus accident occurred around 1:30 am IST near Saudi Arabia’s Mufrihat, roughly 160 km from Madinah, while the group of Indian pilgrims, reported largely from Hyderabad, Telangana, was returning after completing Umrah rituals, reports NDTV.

NDTV, citing Khaleej Times, said many passengers were asleep when the collision triggered a massive blaze, leaving them little chance to escape.

Initial, unofficial reports suggest many of the victims include women and children, with some sources indicating that 11 women and 10 children may be among the dead. Authorities in Saudi Arabia ar