18 Hyderabad Pilgrims From One Family Killed in Saudi Bus Tragedy
<h2><strong>Saudi Bus Tragedy Wipes Out 18 Members of One Hyderabad Family: Three Generations Lost</strong></h2><p>A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded near Madinah, Saudi Arabia, where a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims caught fire after a collision, killing dozens of people on board. Among the victims were <strong>18 members of a single family from Hyderabad</strong>, including nine children. The disaster has shaken the city, leaving families searching for answers and struggling to come to terms with a devastating loss that wiped out three generations.</p><h2><strong>A Family United for a Pilgrimage</strong></h2><p>The victims belonged to the family of <strong>Shaik Naseeruddin</strong> and <strong>Akhter Begum</strong>, long-time residents of Ramnagar in Musheerabad. They had travelled with their children and grandchildren for Umrah, a journey they had been preparing for for weeks. Relatives said the family had been excited about performing the pilgrimage together, unaware that the trip would turn into a tragedy of unimaginable scale.</p><p>The group left Hyderabad for Jeddah on <strong>9 November</strong>, joining other pilgrims from the city. While some traveled by car or stayed back in Makkah, around 46 people boarded the bus that later met with the fatal accident.</p><h2><strong>How the Tragedy Happened</strong></h2><p>According to early reports, the bus collided with an oil tanker around <strong>1.30am IST</strong>, near Madinah. The impact of the crash caused a massive fire that engulfed the vehicle within minutes, giving passengers very little time to escape.</p><p>Saudi authorities and the Indian Consulate in Jeddah confirmed that the fire caused severe burns, making identification of many bodies extremely difficult. The Indian mission immediately opened a 24×7 control room to coordinate support for families.</p><h2><strong>Three Generations Gone in Minutes</strong></h2><p>Relatives back home were shattered as news began to spread. The family had planned to return to Hyderabad soon, making the loss even more painful.<br>Victims include <strong>70-year-old Naseeruddin</strong>, <strong>his wife Akhter</strong>, their son <strong>Salauddin</strong>, their daughters <strong>Amina</strong>, <strong>Rizwana</strong>, and <strong>Shabana</strong>, along with many of their children.</p><p>A grieving relative said, <i>“We were talking to them just hours before the accident. Eighteen of our family members were gone in one night.”</i></p><p>Another family member shared that he had advised them not to travel together, especially with all the children. But the family had wanted to stay united during the pilgrimage.</p><h2><strong>Scenes of Grief in Hyderabad</strong></h2><p>At the family home in Ramnagar, relatives gathered in shock, unable to comprehend the scale of the loss. Neighbours and community members rushed to support the family. When the house keys were brought back, cries filled the rooms as family members broke down remembering each lost life.</p><p>At the Hajj House in Nampally, dozens of people waited anxiously for official confirmation and details. Many held photographs and passports, hoping for clarity but fearing the worst.</p><h2><strong>Most Victims From Hyderabad</strong></h2><p>Preliminary information suggests that <strong>most of the deceased pilgrims were from Hyderabad</strong>, and the final toll may rise beyond 45. Telangana police and Hajj Committee officials said around <strong>10 children</strong> were among the dead.</p><p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow and said Indian officials in Riyadh and Jeddah were providing every possible assistance.</p><h2><strong>The Sole Survivor</strong></h2><p>Among the passengers, <strong>24-year-old Mohd Abdul Shoiab</strong> survived. He managed to break a window and jump out moments before the bus was consumed by flames. His testimony is expected to help authorities understand how the fire spread so rapidly.</p><h2><strong>Government Support and Next Steps</strong></h2><p>The Telangana government has announced financial support of <strong>₹5 lakh</strong> for each victim’s family. Two relatives of each deceased person will be flown to Saudi Arabia. The state government also confirmed that the bodies will be laid to rest in Saudi Arabia according to religious customs, as many remains are unidentifiable.</p><p>Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin will travel to Saudi Arabia to coordinate relief and assist families in the process.</p><h2><strong>City in Mourning</strong></h2><p>Hyderabad has been plunged into grief as families continue to wait for full details. Many are demanding a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash and seeking accountability for the incident that turned a holy pilgrimage into a night of unbearable loss.</p><p>The tragedy has left behind a void that cannot be filled — a single collision that erased an entire family line spread across generations, leaving behind memories, questions, and a city united in sorrow.</p>