How Lone Survivor Survived Saudi Bus Accident Which Killed 45 Indian Pilgrims Travelling From Mecca To Madinah
PM Narendra Modi said his thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Image courtesy: Social Media
A devastating accident claimed the lives of 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims, most of them from Hyderabad, when their bus collided with a diesel tanker early Monday morning (November 17, 2025) in Saudi Arabia. The collision triggered a massive explosion that engulfed the vehicle in flames within minutes.
The crash occurred around 1:30 am IST near Mufrihat, approximately 160 km from Medinah. According to officials, the intensity of the blaze left almost no chance of escape, with only one known survivor – 24-year-old Md Abdul Shoeb – who miraculously cheated death.
Saudi Arabia bus accident: How grave is the tragedy?
The group consisted of 54 pilgrims who left Hyderabad on November 9 and had completed their Umrah rituals in Mecca. As they travelled toward Medinah, tragedy struck within seconds. Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said the crash caused an immediate explosion, stating that “the fire spread rapidly, leaving no time for most passengers to escape.”
While authorities in Saudi Arabia are yet to issue an official death toll, individuals familiar with the situation confirmed 45 deaths.
The lone survivor is 24-year-old Md Abdul Shoeb, who managed to break free by jumping out of a window alongside the driver moments before the vehicle was engulfed. Shoeb is currently in the ICU in Saudi Arabia, but he lost both parents, his grandfather, and three relatives in the tragedy.
How the lone survivor managed to escape?
Call it fate or simply awareness that Shoeb jumped out of the window along with the driver, seconds before the bus caught fire, which eventually saved his life. “We got a call from Shoaib at around 5.30 am, stating that he managed to escape from the tragedy, while all the others were caught in flames,” Mohammed Tehseen, his close relative told Hindustan Times.
“We could not reach him later, as we received the information that he got admitted to the hospital.”
Employed with a private firm, Shoeb went to the pilgrimage with his parents – Abdul Khadeer (56) and Ghousiya Begum (46), besides four others including his grandfather Mohammad Moulana and three other members of his uncle, the HT report said. “There were four others from the same area, who stayed back at Mecca,” according to Tehseen.
Soon after the accident, Shoeb called up one of them and informed them about the tragedy, in which he lost parents, grandfather and his uncle’s family. Tehseen shared that Shoeb sustained injuries as he jumped out of the bus and he is presently in the Intensive Care Unit at a German Hospital in Madinah.
Families mourn the demise of their loved ones
Another pilgrim’s relative, 35-year-old Syed Rashid, lost 18 members of his family, including his parents, brother, sister-in-law, their children, and several other close relatives. “When I saw them off at the airport, I never imagined it would be the last time,” he said, recalling how he had urged his family not to travel together.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives. The Telangana government has announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for families of the deceased.
PM Modi said, “Deeply saddened by the accident in Medinah involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our officials are also in close contact with Saudi Arabian authorities.”
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, currently on a visit to Russia, expressed deep shock over the accident. “Our embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident,” he said. “Sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he said in a social media post.
The remains of the victims have been shifted to King Fahad Hospital, King Salman Hospital, and Al Miqat Hospital in Madinah.
