At the Hajj House in Nampally in Hyderabad, grief hung heavy in the air on Monday (November 17, 2025) afternoon. In the open, muddy courtyard, families clutched documents, photographs and each other, waiting for any word on their loved ones who died in the tragic bus crash in Saudi Arabia earlier in the morning.
Among them was Syed from Ramnagar, trembling as he spoke, still unable to process the scale of his loss. “I told them not to go together. Not to take all the children; at least some members of the family would have survived,” he said, breaking down mid-sentence. In one night, 18 members of his family, spanning three generations, were gone. His elder sister, her three daughters, a son, and her grandchildren, all of whom had travelled together for Umrah, did not make it back. The deceased included nine children.
Only one person from that branch of the family survives: the elder son, who is currently in the United States. “He wanted to join them too,” said another relative. “He only stayed behind because he couldn’t get a ticket. His wife and two children went… and they didn’t survive.”
The family had begun their pilgrimage on November 9. After spending a week in Mecca, they were heading to Medina when their bus collided with a diesel tanker in the early hours of Monday. Syed had spoken to them just hours earlier on Sunday night. “They said everything was fine… they were going to start their journey,” he recalled. By 4 a.m. IST, came the crushing news of the crash.
Since then, relatives have been moving between the travel agency and the Hajj House, seeking clarity on the identification of the bodies and the next steps. Tired faces, unanswered questions and loud cries filled the halls.
Mazhar Khan, another family member, said the trip had been planned for months. “They were all so excited to go together,” he said, staring blankly at the floor. “They were meant to return on November 25. Instead… we are preparing for their final rites.”
Initial information suggests that 42 of the victims may be Indian nationals, mostly from Hyderabad. The accident occurred around 1.30 a.m. IST near Mufrihat as the group was travelling from Mecca to Medina after completing their rituals.
Anxious relatives of Umrah pilgrims gather outside Al-Meena Travels, one of the tour operators, in Hyderabad.
| Photo Credit:
G. Ramakrishna
At Al Meena Travels in Mallepally, where 16 people had booked their tickets, relatives gathered in the morning for some answers. However, owners of Al Meena, Flyzone, Al Makkah Haj and Umrah tours and travels met with the Hyderabad police to furnish details.
The lone survivor of the deadly crash
The only survivor of the crash was identified as Mohd Abdul Shoiab, 24, a resident of Hyderabad. He had reportedly been sitting near the driver when the bus collided with the tanker. He has been admitted to a hospital in Saudi Arabia, but his condition remains unknown.
His relative, Mohd Tahseen, said that they received a call from Shoiab about the crash. Mr. Tahseen said that Shoiab was travelling with seven members of his in-laws’ family. He said each person had spent around ₹96,000 for the trip. He spoke softly as he explained that Shoiab jumped from the bus along with the driver immediately after the crash. “Our request is simple. Either bring the bodies home or help us go there,” he said. “Shoiab called us and told us what happened. The travel office here said they will arrange for us.”
The tragedy has also shaken those preparing for the pilgrimage. Travellers scheduled to leave for Medina said they are now sceptical, unsure if they should proceed amid fears of more accidents and uncertainty.
One of the people at the Haj House had planned to take his family for Umrah in early December. “We have to travel by bus from Mecca to Medina, and after hearing about this accident, my family is frightened. I’m also unsure whether we should go ahead,” he said.
Minister Azharuddin says 18 killed from one Hyderabad family
Telangana’s Minister for Minorities Welfare Mohammed Azharuddin on Monday expressed deep shock over the accident involving a bus carrying Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
“Deeply shocked by the tragic accident involving a bus carrying Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. My heartfelt prayers are with all those affected, especially the families from Hyderabad who were part of this unfortunate incident,” Mr. Azharuddin said
“It’s very saddening to hear that 18 people from one family have passed away. I can imagine the pain they are going through. Some of the family members here are trying to leave (for Saudi Arabia) by evening. Probably, I might also join the delegation,” the official said.
“They (the families) are planning to bury the bodies there itself, let’s see what happens. We are trying to find out the nature of the accident as well. I’ll meet the families here personally and pay my respect,” said Mr. Azharuddin.
Published – November 17, 2025 03:23 pm IST
