Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the bus accident involving Indian Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. It is noteworthy that 42 people were traveling in the bus that met with the accident.
In a post, PM Modi said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance, while Indian officials are also in close touch with Saudi Arabian authorities.
The Prime Minister posted, “I am deeply saddened by the accident involving Indian nationals in Madinah. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I wish speedy recovery to all the injured. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in constant touch with the Saudi Arabian authorities.”
It is reported that a bus going from Mecca to Medina carrying many pilgrims from Hyderabad caught fire.
Earlier today, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said he was “deeply shocked” by the bus accident near Medina, Saudi Arabia, involving several Indian pilgrims on Umrah.
In a post on Twitter, he said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are providing “full assistance” to all affected families.
He wrote, “Deeply shocked by the accident involving Indian citizens in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing full assistance to the Indian citizens and their families affected by this accident. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Indian National Congress (INC) President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday expressed his deep condolences over the tragic bus accident near Medina, Saudi Arabia, involving several Indian pilgrims on Umrah.
In a post shared on Twitter, the Congress president said, “Deeply saddened by the heartbreaking tragedy that occurred near Medina, Saudi Arabia, in which several Indian nationals were involved. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
The post further said, “The Central Government through the Ministry of External Affairs should closely coordinate with the state authorities and the families of the victims in India to provide assistance and relief in this difficult time.”
Kharge further said that he has directed the Telangana Chief Minister to provide all possible assistance to the affected families. Kharge further wrote, “I have directed the Chief Minister of Telangana to provide all possible assistance to the families of the victims and he is closely monitoring the situation.”
Following the accident, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah announced that a 24×7 control room has been activated to assist relatives and coordinate emergency response.
“In view of the tragic bus accident involving Indian Umrah pilgrims near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, a 24×7 control room has been set up at the Consulate General of India, Jeddah,” the Consulate posted.
Officials said they are in constant touch with Saudi authorities for information on casualties, injured passengers and those hospitalized.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also expressed grief over the incident, as reports revealed that many of the victims were from Hyderabad.
According to an official statement, the Chief Minister has contacted officials in New Delhi and directed them to closely coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh for updated information.
Telangana Chief Secretary A. Shanti Kumari informed Resident Commissioner Gaurav Uppal in New Delhi and directed him to immediately collect information as to how many passengers from Telangana were on board the bus and ensure timely assistance. A control room has also been activated in the state secretariat to monitor the situation.
Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also expressed grief over the accident in Saudi Arabia and urged the Center to bring back the bodies.
Owaisi told ANI that he has spoken to Abu Mathen George, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, and also contacted two Hyderabad-based travel agencies and shared details of the passengers with the Riyadh Embassy and the Foreign Secretary.
He said that 42 people were traveling in the bus involved in the accident. According to local reports, the bus was traveling from Mecca to Medina when the accident occurred. Details of casualties and survivors are awaited.
