'Entire family wiped out': 18 members of Hyderabad family, including 9 children, killed in Medina mishap

The Hyderabad-based group had completed Umrah and was returning to Medina when disaster struck around 1:30 am.

According to reports, the bus collided with a diesel tanker roughly 30 km from the city. Most passengers were asleep, leaving them little chance to escape as the vehicle caught fire.

“My sister-in-law, brother-in-law, their son, three daughters and their children went for Umrah… and now all of them are gone,” a devastated Mohammed Asif told NDTV.

“Eighteen members of one family- nine adults and nine children- have died. It is a terrible tragedy for us," he said.

Among the victims were senior family member Naseeruddin (70), his wife Akhter Begum (62), their son Salauddin (42), daughters Amina (44), Rizwana (38), Shabana (40), along with their children.

At the family’s Ramnagar home in Hyderabad, cries echoed through the neighbourhood as relatives gathered, struggling to comprehend the scale of the loss.

“My brother’s entire family has been wiped out,” Naseeruddin’s sister wailed on entering the house.

Most of the deceased in the crash were from Hyderabad, officials said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock and grief, saying he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy.

“My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured,” he said on X, adding that Indian officials in Saudi Arabia were coordinating closely with authorities.

The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has set up a 24x7 control room and helpline for families seeking information.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also conveyed condolences and directed state officials to assist the affected families, assuring them that the government “will stand by” them during this crisis.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia are investigating the circumstances that led to one of the deadliest road accidents involving Indian pilgrims in recent years.