New Delhi: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the death of several Indian pilgrims in a bus accident near Medina in Saudi Arabia. The victims were part of a group travelling for Umrah, as per agency report.
The bus, carrying nearly 40 Indian nationals, many of them from Telangana, reportedly collided with an oil tanker around 1:30 am (Indian time). Television visuals showed the vehicle engulfed in flames, with thick smoke rising into the air.
Vice President Radhakrishnan said he was deeply saddened by the road accident near Medina and extended his condolences to the affected families. He expressed heartfelt sympathy towards the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Prime Minister Modi also conveyed grief in a post on X, stating that he was extremely pained by the tragedy involving Indian citizens in Medina. He expressed solidarity with the families who had lost their loved ones and wished a quick recovery for all those injured.
The Prime Minister said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were providing all possible assistance and remained in close touch with Saudi authorities.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju described himself as shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the deaths of several Indian pilgrims in the accident on the Medina–Mecca highway. He also extended his condolences to the grieving families.
