Lone survivor of Medina tragedy: Hyderabad’s Abdul Shoiab cheats death as 42 pilgrims perish

According to NDTV's sources, Shoiab had been sitting near the driver when the bus carrying Umrah pilgrims from Mecca to Medina collided head-on with a diesel tanker around 1:30 am (IST).

The impact triggered an inferno that engulfed the vehicle within moments. Officials believe there were around 46 passengers on board.

Shoaib has been admitted to a hospital in Saudi Arabia, though his current condition remains unknown.

The Indian consulate in Jeddah has opened a 24x7 control room to coordinate assistance for affected families, as shaken relatives scramble for updates.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, currently in Russia, said he was “deeply shocked” by the tragedy.

“Our embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident,” he posted, offering condolences and prayers for the injured.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also reacted with urgency after learning that several Hyderabad residents were among the victims. His office said he directed the chief secretary and the state police chief to gather complete information and stay in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and Saudi authorities.

A control room has also been set up at the Telangana Secretariat to monitor developments and provide real-time information to anxious families. Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao has reportedly spoken to officials in Delhi and issued directives for immediate relief coordination.

As investigations continue into the cause of the late-night crash, Shoiab’s survival stands out as the lone glimmer of hope in one of the deadliest road accidents involving Indian pilgrims in recent years.