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A bus accident near the city of Madina in southern Saudi Arabia resulted in multiple casualties involving Muslim pilgrims, according to the Indian embassy’s statement on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragedy and prayed for the injured’s swift recovery.
He stated on X, “Extremely saddened by the accident in Madina involving Indian nationals. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who lost loved ones.” He continued, “We are doing everything we can to assist the victims and their families through our embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah.”
Reports from Indian media suggest that dozens may have been killed in the crash, although official numbers have not yet been released. Every year, millions of devotees travel to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage, which takes place outside the main Hajj season.
This incident follows other recent pilgrim-related tragedies, including a March 2023 bus fire on a bridge that resulted in 20 fatalities and more than two dozen injuries. In October 2019, around 35 foreigners lost their lives, and four others were wounded in a collision involving a bus and a heavy vehicle near Madina.
Pilgrimages are a vital part of Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism industry, which officials hope will contribute to economic diversification away from reliance on fossil fuels. The kingdom is also home to over two million Indian expatriates, who significantly support the local workforce, contribute to major infrastructure projects, and send billions of dollars back home annually.
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