Oil tanker crash left 45 Umrah pilgrims no chance to escape burning bus
In Saudi Arabia, 46 Hyderabad pilgrims were traveling to Madina when their bus collided with an oil tanker and caught fire, leaving 45 dead. Only one survivor escaped. Families are being assisted via control rooms and official delegations
Hyderabad: The 45 Umrah pilgrims travelling in the ill-fated bus had no chance of escape, as the fire spread very fast after the vehicle collided with an oil tanker, according to Hyderabad Commissioner of Police VC Sajjanar.
The pilgrims had gone on pilgrimage through four travel agencies in the city and were expected to return on November 23.
“A total of 56 people had left the city on November 9 and reached Jeddah. From there, they went to Mecca as part of the pilgrimage. On Sunday night they were on their way to Madina for the next step of the pilgrimage when the accident took place. Four individuals took a car, four others stayed back at the hotel and remaining 46 travelled by the bus,” said TS Wakf Board chairman, Mohd Azmathullah.
One pilgrim, Mohammad Abdul Shoaib, managed to escape from the burning bus and informed his relatives in Hyderabad. The message was flashed to the travel agents who in turn contacted Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi. The State government was alerted and special control rooms were set up to facilitate the families to know details about the incident and follow-up.
The anxious family members rushed to the offices of the travel agencies located at Mallepally and Nanalnagar to know the details and well being of their loved-ones. With no details emerging during the early hours from any sources, the aggrieved family members were seen arguing with the staff of the travel agencies. The pilgrims had paid between Rs. 90,000 and Rs. 1,10,000 per person towards charges to the agents for the holy trip.
At the Hajj House in Nampally, families await news of loved ones killed in the Saudi bus accident. Clutching documents and photographs, relatives struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.
The pilgrims hailed from various parts of the city including Nallakunta, Musheerabad, Tolichowki, Asifnagar, Falaknuma, Kalapather, Chintalmet, and Muradnagar in the city.
The local public representatives visited the families and offered their condolences. A three-member team, including Minister for Minorities and Public Enterprises, Mohd Azharuddin, Principal Secretary Minority Welfare Department , B Shafiullah and Nampally MLA Mohd Majid Hussain, will be leaving for Saudi Arabia to coordinate with the authorities there and decide about bringing back the bodies or ensuring burial in Saudi Arabia.
