Hyderabad: MBT spokesperson Amjedullah Khan on Monday urged the Government of India and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to act swiftly after a Saudi bus crash killed 45 Umrah pilgrims, including at least 22 from Hyderabad.
MBT seeks ministerial visit, urgent support for victim families
Khan appealed to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to coordinate through the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Jeddah Consulate. He also asked the Chief Minister to send a ministerial team to Saudi Arabia to assist grieving families and handle necessary formalities.
He received distress calls from Madinah early Friday confirming the crash. A bus carrying pilgrims from Makkah to Madinah caught fire after a major accident. Many victims were burned beyond recognition. The group reportedly travelled through Fly Zone Tours & Travels and Makkah Hajj & Umrah Tours & Travels.
Help desk activated, families request emergency visas
Following Khan’s appeal, the Telangana government set up a help desk at Haj House in Nampally. Minister Mohammed Azharuddin and TMREIS President Faheem Qureshi are overseeing coordination with Saudi officials and updating relatives.
Several families want to travel to Saudi Arabia immediately. Some wish to repatriate the bodies, while others want burials to happen in the holy land. Many victims had completed Umrah and were travelling in Ihram for Ziyarat in Madinah. To help families secure visas, Khan contacted Maharashtra MLA Abu Asim Azmi to speak with the Saudi Consulate in Mumbai.
MBT demands respectful handling of mortal remains
Khan urged the Centre to issue emergency visas without delay and ensure dignified handling of the bodies. He called for complete logistical and emotional support to families during this crisis.
MBT, he said, stands in full solidarity with the bereaved and shares their pain over what he called a “deeply tragic and painful catastrophe.”