Hyderabad is grieving after a devastating road crash near Medina claimed the lives of 42 Indian pilgrims, including 18 members of one family. Nine of the victims were children. The family had travelled for Umrah and planned to return to Hyderabad on Saturday.
Mohammed Asif, a relative, said they stayed in touch with their loved ones until the tragedy. “My sister-in-law, brother-in-law, their children and grandchildren left eight days ago. They finished Umrah and were heading back to Medina. The crash happened around 1.30 am, and the bus caught fire. We lost 18 family members,” he said.
He identified some of his relatives as 70-year-old Naseeruddin, his wife Akhter Begum, their son Salauddin, and daughters Amina, Rizwana and Shabana, along with their children. Heartbreaking scenes unfolded at their Ramnagar home, where relatives cried as they unlocked the house.
Most victims were from Hyderabad. Reports say the bus hit a diesel tanker about 30 km from Medina. Many passengers were asleep and could not escape before flames spread.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow and assured support through Indian missions. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also offered help to affected families.
