A tragic incident shook Medina in the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025, claiming the lives of dozens of Indian pilgrims in a horrific collision. A bus carrying them crashed into a fuel tanker in the Al-Mafrahat area.
The bus, en route from Mecca to Medina, had 43 passengers on board when the collision occurred around 1:30 AM Indian time. The violent impact led to a fire in both the bus and the tanker, resulting in a significant number of casualties, including 20 women and 11 children. It is believed that only one person survived the crash.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed deep sorrow, stating that his country’s embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah are making every effort to support the affected families. Coordination with Saudi authorities is ongoing to facilitate rescue operations and assistance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences to the victims’ families and wished for a speedy recovery for the injured, affirming that embassy and consulate teams are providing full logistical and moral support to those affected.
Saudi authorities have also confirmed their commitment to closely monitoring the incident and providing all necessary support to the injured, as emergency teams continue to transport them to hospitals for treatment. The Indian consulate in Jeddah announced the establishment of an operations room to coordinate relief efforts and provide assistance to the affected families.
Investigations are still underway to determine the circumstances and causes of the incident, while rescue teams continue their work on the ground to ensure that all injured individuals receive help.
