Devastating Bus Crash Claims 46 Indian Umrah Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
Image Source: Internet
A tragic accident in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of 46 Indian Umrah pilgrims, including a man from Karnataka's Hubballi. Abdul Ghani Shirhatti, a 28-year Saudi Arabia resident, was identified as one of the victims. Former minister AM Hindasgeri confirmed Shirhatti's death, expressing regret over his untimely demise. The bus, carrying pilgrims from Hyderabad and other parts of the country, collided with an oil tanker 25 km before reaching Medina, triggering a massive explosion that engulfed the vehicle in flames. Only one passenger, Md Abdul Shoaib, survived and is currently in critical condition in a Saudi hospital. The Telangana government has announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh each for the families of the deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are providing assistance to the affected families. The accident has sent shockwaves across the country, with search queries on Google Trends surging on Tuesday morning. The incident has also sparked concerns about the safety of Indian pilgrims traveling abroad for Umrah. As investigations continue, the families of the deceased are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones.
