Bus Carrying Indian Pilgrims Crashes Near Medina, Killing Dozens

Bus Carrying Indian Pilgrims Crashes Near Medina, Killing Dozens
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A bus carrying Indian pilgrims crashed near the Saudi city of Medina, killing at least 45 people, according to Indian authorities, in what officials described as one of the kingdom’s deadliest road accidents in recent years, media outlets reported. Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said initial information indicated that 46 passengers were on board and that only one person survived. Saudi officials have not yet released an official casualty count.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in a message on social media, noting that the Indian embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah were coordinating with Saudi authorities to assist victims’ families. He said his thoughts were with those who lost loved ones and wished a quick recovery to the injured.

Road accidents remain a persistent challenge in Saudi Arabia. A 2023 United Nations assessment highlighted that the kingdom continues to record a high rate of traffic-related deaths compared with other high-income countries. Transporting pilgrims—particularly during religious seasons—has historically posed risks due to heavy traffic, long journeys between holy sites and occasional mechanical failures.

Millions of Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia annually for the hajj and umrah pilgrimages. Previous fatal incidents underscore the recurring dangers: in March 2023, a bus heading toward Mecca caught fire after a collision, killing 20 people, while an October 2019 crash near Medina claimed the lives of 35 foreign pilgrims.